Anti-Freezing Eutectogel-Based TENG for Ocean Wave Sensing at Low Temperature

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Environmental Science
• Energy Harvesting

Background:

• Accurate ocean wave sensing is crucial for marine observation, climate research, and navigation safety.
• Conventional wave sensors face challenges in low-temperature, high-salinity environments due to power supply needs and poor stability.
• Developing self-powered, stable sensors for harsh marine conditions remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly stable, self-powered wave sensing device for polar and low-temperature marine environments.
• To overcome the limitations of conventional sensors in terms of power supply and environmental stability.
• To create a robust triboelectric nanogenerator capable of long-term deployment in harsh marine conditions.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite eutectogel electrode using sodium lignosulfonate, Fe3+ crosslinking, Zn2+-carboxylate coordination, and a deep eutectic solvent (DES).
• Integration of the eutectogel electrode into a self-powered solid-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator (SL-TENG).
• Testing the SL-TENG's performance in simulated seawater at low temperatures (0 °C) and varying wave frequencies.

Main Results:

• The eutectogel electrode demonstrated excellent low-temperature tolerance and structural stability due to DES and synergistic interactions.
• The fabricated SL-TENG achieved stable electrical output and accurately detected wave amplitude (0.2 cm accuracy) and frequency (0.2 Hz to 1.6 Hz).
• The device operated reliably in 3.5 wt% simulated seawater at 0 °C, with a current retention ratio of approximately 91% at 0 °C, significantly outperforming hydrogel-based devices.

Conclusions:

• The developed eutectogel-based SL-TENG offers a promising solution for self-powered ocean wave sensing in harsh marine environments.
• The unique composition and structure of the eutectogel electrode provide remarkable low-temperature and salt tolerance.
• This work presents an effective strategy for creating environmentally resilient triboelectric devices for long-term marine applications.