Triboelectric nanogenerator based on flexible Janus nanofiber membrane with simultaneous high charge generation and charge capturing abilities

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on nanomaterials has broad application values in flexible wearable devices. Here, a new-typed TENG-JNM based on a flexible two-dimensional (2D) Janus nanofiber membrane (JNM) and PMMA nanobelt array is assembled, where JNM and PMMA nanobelt array are respectively constructed by special electrospun one-dimensional (1D) [CNTs/PVDF/PVP]//[Eu(TTA)3(TPPO)2/PVDF/PVP] Janus nanofiber and PMMA nanobelt as building units. Different functional substances are pre-assembled into Janus nanofiber utilizing structural asymmetry, so charge generation and charge capturing abilities are pre-realized in microscopic 1D Janus nanofiber, which further makes 2D JNM concurrently act as charge generation and charge capturing layers of TENG-JNM without introducing usually-adopted additional macroscopic charge capturing layer. Two independent domains are gained in Janus nanofiber and different functional substances are limited in their own domains, effectively weakening harmful mutual interferences. JNM displays improved charge generation ability by introducing CNTs and Eu(TTA)3(TPPO)2 and high charge capturing ability by utilizing the two-phase interfaces between Eu(TTA)3(TPPO)2 and PVDF matrix to timely capture triboelectric charges to avoid adverse combination with induced charges and charge dissipation. PMMA nanobelt array with compact and smooth surface is also conducive to acquiring adequate contact area between PMMA nanobelt array and JNM. TENG-JNM gains high and adjustable output performance, in which the maximum output performance is 22.4 μA, 353.5 V and 135.5 μC·m−2. TENG-JNM is endowed with excellent red fluorescence, realizing the visualization of working state in dark environment. TENG-JNM has potential application values in electronic skin or wearable devices.