Polyoxometalate-Modified g-C₃N₄ Composites with High Work Function for Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Energy Harvesting

Background:

• Improving triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) performance requires advanced friction materials with high electron storage, work function, stability, and low cost.
• Graphite carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is a promising material, but its potential in TENGs can be further optimized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize novel friction materials by modifying g-C3N4 with Keggin-type polyoxometalates (POMs).
• To evaluate the enhanced performance of TENG devices utilizing these modified materials.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of g-C3N4 modified with Keggin-type POMs (PMo12 and PW12), creating g-C3N4@PMo12 and g-C3N4@PW12.
• Fabrication of TENG devices using these modified materials and commercial ITO/PET electrodes.
• Performance testing of TENG devices, measuring output voltage, current, and charge transfer.

Main Results:

• The g-C3N4@PMo12 TENG device demonstrated a significant performance enhancement.
• Achieved output voltage of ~78 V, current of ~657 nA, and transfer charge of ~15 nC.
• Performance improvement was over 3 times higher compared to unmodified TENG devices.

Conclusions:

• POM-modified g-C3N4 serves as an effective shallow electron trap, increasing electron storage capacity and surface charge density.
• The enhanced work function of the composite material contributes to improved TENG performance.
• This research expands the range of TENG friction materials and offers a practical method for performance enhancement.