Contact mode controls droplet generate electricity by femtosecond laser

Abstract

The energy potential stored in water is tremendous, and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) offer a compact and efficient means of harnessing hydroelectric power. However, the practical implementation of liquid-solid TENG imposes more stringent demands on power output. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to manipulate the contact mode of droplets on flexible friction layer interfaces by leveraging precise spatiotemporal control offered by femtosecond laser nanofabrication. Based on dynamic electronic regulation, we efficiently fabricate tear-shaped gradient micro-nano composite structures based on the Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) interfaces. This technique enhances the contact area between microstructures and liquid droplets at the micrometer scale while simultaneously reducing adhesive forces between droplets and the friction layer at the nanometer scale. As a result, we observe a remarkable 24-fold increase in friction-induced electric performance compared to blank PDMS. Furthermore, augmenting sliding speed of droplets leads to significantly enhanced charge generation. This groundbreaking advancement not only facilitates practical utilization of liquid-solid TENGs but also enables impressive applications such as successfully illuminating 520 LED bulbs and the charging power bank. The present study introduces an innovative approach to enhance TENG performance by regulating liquid-solid contact mode through interfacial micro-nano structures, offering potential for further advancements in output power of liquid-solid TENGs.