Triboelectric Nanosensor Integrated with Robotic Platform for Self-Powered Detection of Chemical Analytes

Rapid on-site detection of hazardous chemicals is imperative for remote security and environmental monitoring applications. However, the implementation of current sensing technologies in real environments is limited due to an external high-power requirement, poor selectivity and sensitivity. Recent progress in triboelectric nanosensors and nanogenerators presents tremendous opportunities to address these issues. Here, we report an innovative self-powered triboelectric nanosensor for detection of Hg²⁺ ions, a harmful chemical pollutant, in a rapid single step on-site detection mechanism. Based on the mechanism of solid-liquid contact electrification, tellurium nanowire (Te NW) arrays serving as a solid triboelectric material as well as the sensing probe underwent periodic contact and separation with the Hg²⁺ solution, leading to the in situ formation of mercury telluride nanowire (HgTe NWs) owing to the selective binding affinity of Te NWs toward Hg²⁺ ions. To realize the on-site sensing potential, Te NW arrays were mounted onto the robotic hands equipped with additional wireless transmission functionality for rapid detection of Hg²⁺ ions in resource-limited settings by employing a simple "touch and sense" mechanism. Such a demonstration of direct integration of self-powered sensors with robotics would lead to the development of low-cost, automated chemical sensing machinery for the on-field detection of harmful analytes.