Silicone-Based Multifunctional Thin Films with Improved Triboelectric and Sensing Performances via Chemically...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Energy Harvesting

Background:

• Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) show promise for energy harvesting, but performance is limited by surface charge screening at the electrode interface.
• Flexible and soft electrodes are crucial for wearable TENG applications, yet current designs often face limitations in stability and charge density.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel chemically cross-linked (XL) graphene-based electrode integrated with a silicone elastomer for enhanced TENG performance.
• To investigate the impact of chemical cross-linking on electrode stability, surface charge density, and TENG output power.
• To explore the potential of the developed electrode material for multifunctional applications, such as strain sensing.

Main Methods:

• A layer-by-layer assembly method was employed to create a conductive graphene-based multilayered electrode on a silicone elastomer modified with hydrolyzed 3-aminopropylenetriethoxysilanes.
• The chemically cross-linked (XL) graphene-silicone elastomer electrode was fabricated and characterized.
• A droplet-driven TENG device was constructed using the developed electrode, and its performance was evaluated and compared to devices without cross-linking.

Main Results:

• The chemically XL graphene-silicone elastomer electrode demonstrated a significant increase in surface charge density compared to non-cross-linked counterparts.
• The droplet-driven TENG utilizing the XL electrode exhibited approximately a 2-fold improvement in output power.
• The XL electrode material showed excellent stability and resilience to repeated mechanical deformations (bending, stretching), and functioned effectively as a high-sensitivity strain sensor.

Conclusions:

• Chemically cross-linking graphene with silicone elastomer via a facile layer-by-layer assembly method is a viable strategy to enhance TENG performance.
• The developed electrode material offers improved power output, mechanical robustness, and sensing capabilities, making it suitable for wearable electronics.
• This cost-effective and sustainable approach provides a versatile platform for the advancement of multifunctional wearable electronic devices.