Au nanocomposite enhanced electret film for triboelectric nanogenerator

A triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) with an organic nanocomposite electret thin film as the triboelectric layer for mechanical energy harvesting was investigated systematically. In combination with corona charging, a TENG was fabricated by using embedded-nanocapacitor-structure polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) impregnated with gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs). The output performances, stability, and durability of the TENGs with Au-PTFE nanocomposite films were characterized after being washed in water. It was found that the output current increases by 70% and the equivalent surface charge density (ESCD) reaches 85 μC/m² in comparison to the virgin PTFE film. Such outstanding performance is likely due to the equivalent nanocapacitors between the Au-NPs and PTFE molecules, which serve as nano charge traps in the nanocomposite electret film under negative high-voltage corona charging. This work not only expands the practical applications of TENGs, but also opens up new possibilities for the development of high performance triboelectric materials. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].