Reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 hybrid synergistically enhanced polyimide nanofibers with high triboelectric output and thermal charge stability

Abstract

The output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can drop dramatically in high temperature environments because of the thermionic emission effect. To enhance the thermal charge stability and expand the working temperature of TENG, polyimide nanofibers (PINF) were synergistically enhanced by the electron trapping mechanism of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and interfacial polarization of TiO2. With the multiple enhancement effect of polyimide/rGO/TiO2 composite nanofibers (PRTNF) on triboelectric output, PRTNF-TENG generated an open circuit voltage of 228.26 V and a short circuit current of 5.22 μA, which were 3.80 and 3.48 times higher than those of PINF-TENG. The effective output of polymer-based TENG was investigated from 25 − 300 °C. Compared to room temperature, the PRTNF-TENG can maintain 19.45 % (44.39 V) and 18.20 % (0.95 μA) of the voltage and current at 300 °C, respectively, and still drive 50 commercial LEDs. Furthermore, PRTNF-TENGs were applied as self-powered sensors for firefighters to provide real-time motion monitoring and ambient temperature detection. This PRTNF-TENG has broad application prospects for energy harvesting and smart electronic monitor in harsh environments such as fire and space.