Surface patterning of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS): graphene nanocomposites for application in triboelectric nanogenerators

Abstract

Graphene is a proper selection for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) because of its outstanding properties such as high electrical conductivity, specific surface area, aspect ratio, mechanical strength, flexibility, and transparency. In addition, Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a triboelectric material that is transparent, flexible, and biocompatible. Nanogenerators based on graphene has several advantages over other nanogenerators including flexibility, simplicity, and structural stability. Graphene/PDMS nanocomposites can be made with good electrical and mechanical properties for use in TENGs. In the present research work, Graphene/PDMS nanocomposites with varying amounts of graphene (0, 0.05, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt.%) have been synthesized. The effect of chemical composition and surface modification on the properties of nanocomposites, including transparency, roughness, and contact angle has been investigated. Comparison of these results revealed the optimized nanocomposite for application in TENGs