Integrated dielectric-electrode layer for triboelectric nanogenerator based on Cu nanowire-Mesh hybrid electrode

• Published in: Nano energy 2019-05, Vol.59, p.120-128
• Main Authors: Zhou, Qitao, Kim, Jong-Nam, Han, Kwan-Woo, Oh, Se-Woong, Umrao, Sima, Chae, Eun Jung, Oh, Il-Kwon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cu Mesh; Cu nanowire; Hierarchical electrode; Morphological engineering; Triboelectric nanogenerator
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.02.022

Morphological engineering of nano- and micro-surface patterns has been considered as a key design element to achieve superior output performances in triboelectric energy harvesters. Most previous studies have focused on the surface engineering of dielectric materials rather than electrodes. In this study, a hierarchically three-dimensional (3D) copper nanowire-copper Mesh hybrid electrode (Cu NW-Cu Mesh) is reported for developing a high-performance and structurally reliable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The hierarchical electrode has been embedded into a dielectric thin layer of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), resulting in an integrated dielectric-electrode layer that has much better structural reliability to repeatable impacts and inherits the roughened morphology of the Cu NW-Cu Mesh. The PDMS sealed Cu NW-Cu Mesh can be widely used in vertical contact-separation mode, single electrode mode, and wind-driven TENGs. Serially connected four hundred green LEDs can be lighted by free fall of a large size Cu NW-Cu Mesh based single electrode TENG. By tapping the large size TENG, a capacitor can be charged and used to power an electronic watch. The results indicate that the proposed integrated dielectric-electrode layer can be used as an effective mechanical energy harvester requiring both structural reliability and high output power under strong impacts due to large amplitude oscillations based on fluid-structure coupled dynamic instabilities. PDMS sheathed 3D hierarchical Cu NW-Cu Mesh has been synthesized as an integrated dielectric and electrode layer for different modes of high performance triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). [Display omitted] •A 3D hierarchical Cu NW-Cu Mesh was fabricated for electrode materials of TENG.•An integrated dielectric-electrode layer was fabricated by easily spraying of PDMS.•The integrated dielectric-electrode layer was be used in various modes of TENGs.•A large size integrated dielectric-electrode layer worked as a single electrode TENG.•A wind-driven TENG with this integrated layer showed high output power.