Stretchable polyurethane composite foam triboelectric nanogenerator with tunable microwave absorption properties at elevated temperature

• Published in: Nano energy 2021-11, Vol.89, p.106397, Article 106397
• Main Authors: Zheng, Jiajia, Wei, Xuelian, Li, Yancheng, Dong, Weiping, Li, Xiping, E, Shiju, Wu, Zhiyi, Wen, Jianming
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CNTs@Fe3O4 nanoparticles; Elevated temperature; Microwave absorption; Self-foaming polyurethane; Stretchable triboelectric nanogenerator
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106397

Nowadays, the integration of multiple functions such as harvesting clean energy and electromagnetic protection into single material has attracted great interest. Herein, a stretchable composite foam-based triboelectric nanogenerator (CF-TENG) with tunable microwave absorption (MA) capacity was developed by assembling self-foaming polyurethane (PU), tadpole-like CNTs@Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and conductive wires. The CF-TENG with a volume of ∅120 mm × 3 mm can generate a maximum output power of 147.9 μW, corresponding to a power density of 1.3 µW/cm2 and easily illuminate 35 commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs) under periodically vertical contact and separation mode, which exhibits high efficiency in energy-harvesting. Besides, the excellent MA properties and relevant mechanisms at elevated temperatures from 253 K to 333 K were investigated in detail. With an ultralow filler loading of 15 wt%, the minimum reflection loss (RLm) value at 253 K could reach −68.5 dB at 10.97 GHz and effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) below −10 dB achieved 4.37 GHz at a thickness of 2.55 mm. Temperature rise would be conducive to broadening the EAB and shifting the matching frequency towards a higher frequency band. Such a remarkable MA performance originated mainly from the dielectric-magnetic dual loss, well-matched impedance, and multiple reflections. To this end, this CF-TENG with electromagnetic protection property combining the ability to scavenge mechanical energy from ambient vibrations opens a new set of prospective applications in wearable electronics and the next-generation energy systems under invisible harsh environments. [Display omitted] •A high-performance composite foam-based triboelectric nanogenerator with microwave absorbing capability is presented.•Tadpole-like CNTs@Fe3O4 nanoparticles are successfully synthesized as microwave absorbing units and conductive fillers.•The CNTs@Fe3O4/PU CF-TENG could generate a maximum output power of 147.9 μW and easily illuminate 35 commercial LEDs.•An outstanding MA performance with an RLm value of −68.5 dB and an ultrabroad EAB of 4.37 GHz at a thickness of 2.55 mm.•The CF-TENG can be repeatedly folded, compressed, stretched and possessed thermally tunable ability of MA capacity.