Material’s selection rules for high performance triboelectric nanogenerators

Abstract

Selecting suitable triboelectric materials for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with excellent integrated performance at ambient environment remains a challenge. Here, we propose a set of universal material’s selection rules for TENGs with comprehensive material’s properties, including surface charge density in low and high relative humidity, moisture resistance rate, and friction coefficient. The influence mechanisms of environmental factors on the output performance of TENG are first revealed. Based on the selection rules, comprehensive selection series are ranked for all types of TENGs with fifteen triboelectric material pairs (cumulative sixty sets of samples). Additionally, two TENG integrated devices are also presented to confirm the generality and feasibility of the selection rules. The moisture resistance rate reaches up to 124% after working in ambient conditions with 95% relative humidity for 36, 000 s. This work provides a significant guideline for triboelectric material’s selection and promotes the practical applications of TENG.