Laser-irradiated graphene-polymer contact electrification as a sustainable power source in metal-free triboelectric nanogenerator

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TeNGs) show exceptional promise for converting wasted mechanical energy into electrical energy. The present study briefly demonstrates the use of highly conducting laser-irradiated graphene (LIG) film as a current collector in an exciting class of metal-free TeNGs. The LIG film with fused structure was developed via a two-step method- electrochemical deposition followed by laser-irradiation method. The encapsulation of polymers like PVA and PEO via spin coating process on the fused structure of LIG film provides a composite matrix with higher conductivity associated with LIG and the triboelectric effects generated from polymers as well as from the carbon source. The structural and the surface properties of the polymer-coated LIG film were examined by XRD, Raman, FT-IR and drop size analyzer techniques. As a result, the resulting sandwich-type metal-free TeNGs deliver an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 10 V and a maximum short circuit current (ISC) of 10 μA over a very small scale TeNGs (1.5 × 1.5) cm2. The LIG-Polymer TeNG device is influenced by the electrostatic induction mechanism and provides a new avenue for multifunctional electric power resources.