Structure-Foldable and Performance-Tailorable PI Paper-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators Processed and Controlled by
Weixiong Yang1, Mingguang Han1, Fu Liu1
1School of Mechanical Engineering & Automation, Beihang University, No. 37 Xueyuan Road, Beijing, 100191, China.
Summary
This study introduces foldable and stackable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) using laser-induced graphene and specialized polyimide paper. These devices offer tunable performance and demonstrate potential for energy harvesting and smart sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Energy Harvesting
Background:
- Laser-induced graphene (LIG) enables rapid TENG fabrication but is limited by inflexible polymer films.
- Current LIG-based TENGs lack structural diversity and performance scalability due to material limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop structurally foldable and stackable TENGs with enhanced performance and tailorable characteristics.
- To overcome the limitations of traditional LIG-based TENGs by utilizing specialized, foldable materials.
Main Methods:
- Utilized specialized polyimide (PI) paper composed of randomly distributed PI fibers for enhanced foldability.
- Systematically investigated laser power to optimize single-unit TENG performance.
- Assembled multiple TENG units into multi-layered structures to increase output voltage.
Main Results:
- Achieved effective improvement in open-circuit voltage by optimizing laser power.
- Demonstrated continuous expansion of open-circuit voltage from 5.3 to 34.4 V cm⁻² by stacking 1 to 16 TENG units.
- Successfully demonstrated energy-harvesting and smart-sensing applications.
Conclusions:
- Developed a new type of foldable and stackable TENG with tunable performance.
- The novel TENG design significantly enhances structural diversity and performance scalability.
- Showcased practical applications including smart shoes, smart leaves, matrix sensors, and smart gloves.
