Enhancing the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) by integrating advanced energy materials is crucial for broadening their applications. In this study, the tribo-positivity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is physically tailored by doping with functionalized reduced graphene oxide (FrGO) into the polymer matrix, aiming to design high-performance TENGs. The pristine PVA and -OH, -COOH, and -NH2 FrGO nanocomposite with varying filler quantities (0–2 wt/wt%) are subjected to various characterizations for elucidating structural, surface and electrical properties. Further, electrical measurements of as-fabricated FrGO-TENGs revealed a notable increase in both voltage and current with increasing filler quantities. Interestingly, the NH2 FrGO-TENG shows maximum electrical output compared to –OH and –COOH FrGO-TENGs. Also, the open-circuit voltage (VOC) and short-circuit current (ISC) of NH2 FrGO-TENG are about 10 and 17 times more than that of pristine PVA-TENG. This substantial improvement is attributed to the extensive hydrogen bonding between the PVA-NH2 FrGO. Furthermore, the practical utility of the optimized device is demonstrated by showcasing its ability to power LEDs, digital timers, and commercial capacitors through a rectifier bridge. Thus, the results proved the potential of incorporating -NH2 FrGO into PVA as a synergistic material for sustainable and improvised energy harvesting, owing to opening new avenues for self-powered applications.
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