Conformation-Modulated Lignin for Durable and High-Output Cellulosic Triboelectric Materials Toward Self-Powered...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Cellulose-based triboelectric sensors are promising for self-powered electronics.
• Long-term use is limited by fiber fibrillation and interfacial degradation.
• Need for durable and high-performance cellulose triboelectric materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a conformation-engineered alkali lignin (EAL) for enhanced cellulose-based triboelectric materials.
• To improve mechanical durability and electrical output simultaneously.
• To create eco-friendly and reliable self-powered sensing devices.

Main Methods:

• Succinic-anhydride grafting onto alkali lignin to create EAL.
• Incorporating EAL into cellulose-based composites.
• Characterizing mechanical properties, wear resistance, and triboelectric performance.
• Testing sensor applications in robotic finger sliding and handwriting recognition.

Main Results:

• EAL significantly reduced the wear rate of EAL/Cellulose composites by 52.44% after 5000 cycles.
• Optimized devices achieved high open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 100 V, short-circuit current (Isc) of 5.26 µA, and transferred charge (Qsc) of 56.87 nC.
• Sensors demonstrated high signal fidelity and stability over 500 writing cycles.
• EAL/Cellulose composites showed good recyclability and rapid enzymatic degradability within 24 hours.

Conclusions:

• Conformation-guided molecular design of EAL effectively enhances mechanical durability and electrical output of cellulose triboelectric materials.
• The developed EAL/Cellulose composite offers a sustainable, high-performance solution for next-generation self-powered sensing.
• This strategy provides a pathway for durable, eco-friendly triboelectric devices.