Performance enhancement of polysiloxane-based nanocomposite TENGs through optimized MWCNT concentration

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are crucial for harvesting energy from mechanical motion.
• Polysiloxane (PS)-based nanocomposites offer potential for flexible TENGs.
• Understanding the influence of nanofillers on TENG performance is essential for optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) loading on the dielectric and triboelectric properties of polysiloxane (PS) nanocomposites.
• To correlate dielectric spectroscopy data with the triboelectric performance of TENG devices.
• To provide design guidelines for high-efficiency PS-based nanocomposite TENGs.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of flexible PS/MWCNT films using the doctor blading method.
• Characterization using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Analysis of dielectric behavior via broadband dielectric spectroscopy and evaluation of TENG performance in a vertical contact-separation mode.

Main Results:

• A co-optimal MWCNT concentration (0.03-0.05 wt%) significantly enhanced dielectric permittivity and interfacial charge trapping, boosting triboelectric output.
• Higher MWCNT loadings resulted in nanotube aggregation, increased dielectric loss, and degraded device performance.
• A clear correlation was established between dielectric spectroscopy parameters and triboelectric output.

Conclusions:

• The study provides mechanistic insights into how MWCNT loading affects dielectric and triboelectric performance in PS nanocomposites.
• Optimal MWCNT concentrations are critical for maximizing TENG efficiency.
• The findings offer practical guidelines for developing advanced PS-based nanocomposite TENGs for applications in wearable electronics and energy harvesting.