Self‐Healable Sandfish Scale‐Inspired Scalable Triboelectric Layer for Hybrid Energy Harvesting in Desert Environment

• Published in: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Germany), 2024-08, Vol.21 (4), p.e2404637-n/a
• Main Authors: Chen, An‐Rong, Parashar, Parag, Sharma, Manish Kumar, Shih, Jing‐Siang, Yeh, Hsuan‐Yu, Lin, Yen‐Jui, Kaswan, Kuldeep, Fan, Kai‐Po, Chen, Po‐Yu, Lin, Zong‐Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: biomimetic; hybrid energy harvesting; low adhesion; sandfish; self‐healing fluorinated copolymer; solar cell; triboelectric nanogenerator
• ISSN: 1613-6810; 1613-6829; 1613-6829
• DOI: 10.1002/smll.202404637

In deserts, sedimentation from frequent dust activities on solar cells poses a substantial technical challenge, reducing efficiency and necessitating advanced cost‐inefficient cleaning mechanisms. Herein, a novel sandfish scale‐inspired self‐healing fluorinated copolymer‐based triboelectric layer is directly incorporated on top of the polysilicon solar cell for sustained hybrid energy harvesting. The transparent biomimetic layer, with distinctive saw‐tooth microstructured morphology, exhibits ultra‐low sand adhesion and high abrasion‐resistant properties, inhibits sedimentation deposition on solar cells, and concurrently harvests kinetic energy from wind‐driven sand particles through triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The film exhibits a low friction coefficient (0.149), minimal sand adhesion force (27 nN), and a small wear area (327 µm2). In addition, over 2 months, a solar cell with the sandfish scale‐inspired structure demonstrates only a 16% decline in maximum power output compared to the bare solar cell, which experiences a 60% decline. Further, the sandfish scale‐based TENG device's electrical output is fully restored to its original value after a 6‐h self‐healing cycle and maintains consistent stable outputs. These results highlight the exceptional advantages of employing biomimetic self‐healing materials as robust triboelectric layers, showcasing sustained device stability and durability for prolonged use in harsh desert environments, ultimately contributing to a low cost‐of‐electricity generation paradigm. Herein, a sandfish scale‐inspired self‐healing fluorinated copolymer‐based triboelectric layer is seamlessly integrated on top of a polysilicon solar cell to concurrently harvest both solar energy and kinetic energy associated with wind‐driven sand particles via a triboelectric nanogenerator. The biomimetic triboelectric layer leverages ultra‐low sand adhesion and high abrasion‐resistant characteristics inherent in the sandfish scales' distinct saw‐tooth morphology.