Substantially boosting performance of triboelectric nanogenerators via a triboelectrification enhancement effect

Abstract

Improving the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) is crucial for their practical application. Conventional methods have inherent limitations, including complexity, increased costs, and restricted applicability to various types of TENGs. Here, we propose a novel triboelectrification enhancement effect (TEE) to efficiently enhance the triboelectric charges of tribo-materials, achieving a remarkable 14.8-fold improvement in charge generation and a staggering 173.2-fold increase in output energy. The TEE offers a universal solution to enhance the performance of all types of TENGs. A contact-separation mode TENG using the TEE achieves ultrahigh transferred charge and power density of 2.2 μC and 20.6 W/m³, respectively. After implementing power management, the TENG produces a pulse direct current output of 10.2 mA. Importantly, the prototype can power buoys and wave warning systems with wireless transmission by harvesting energy from both the water surface and underwater. This work provides a universal and simple method to boost the performance of TENGs.