Fabrication of four-directional wind-based triboelectric nanogenerator via the bent structure of fluttering electrified film

Abstract

Wind, one of mechanical energy sources, is utilized to flutter the electrified film for wind-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) since wind is not only clean but also abundant, ubiquitous, and sustainable energy source. Thus, TENG is actively being researched and developed to become a new external power unit used in various electronics and applications. Herein, we proposed a TENG structure using films bent in four-directions, produced a suitable external power supply for all wind directions, unlike conventional wind-based TENGs that can only harvest the wind energy in one direction. Also, the Al layer was inserted between PTFE films to improve electrostatic induction, resulting in high electrical performances, a maximum open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 233 V, short-circuit current (Isc) of 348 μA, and output power density of 46.1 W m-2 at an external load of 1 MΩ under 9 m s-1, which can light ‘LED’ characters composed of 25 LEDs.