Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy System

Powering wearable and portable devices, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a considerably promising technology. Low-cost production, ease of fabrication, optimal efficiency, and high output performance are always key concerns in developing energy harvesting technologies. Optimum efficiency and...

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Main Authors: Saba Ejaz, Imran Shah, Shahid Aziz, Gul Hassan, Ahmed Shuja, Muhammad Asif Khan, Dong-Won Jung
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Micromachines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/2/230
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author Saba Ejaz
Imran Shah
Shahid Aziz
Gul Hassan
Ahmed Shuja
Muhammad Asif Khan
Dong-Won Jung
author_facet Saba Ejaz
Imran Shah
Shahid Aziz
Gul Hassan
Ahmed Shuja
Muhammad Asif Khan
Dong-Won Jung
author_sort Saba Ejaz
collection DOAJ
description Powering wearable and portable devices, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a considerably promising technology. Low-cost production, ease of fabrication, optimal efficiency, and high output performance are always key concerns in developing energy harvesting technologies. Optimum efficiency and high output are always key concerns. This research addresses the ongoing challenge of raising efficient, flexible, and lightweight energy harvesting systems for recent wearable technologies. In this research, a triboelectric nanogenerator is proposed for harvesting the triboelectric effect. Using polyurethane (PU), a bendable TENG that is in the vertical contact separation mode was developed. UV-curable PU forms the basis of TENGs. A sponge, repurposed from landfill waste, acts by means of a spacer to maintain a consistent air gap between the tribo-layers for enhanced triboelectrification. The triboelectric nanogenerators formed a V<sub>oc</sub> approaching 500 V and a current of ~2 µA and also showed high performance with a power density of 8.53 W/m<sup>2</sup>. In addition, the triboelectric nanogenerator can light LEDs and charge capacitors, making it a self-powered energy source for portable devices, Wi-Fi, and monitoring systems. The proposed TENG provides a capable solution for sustainable, self-powered wearable electronics and has the potential for further development in energy-efficient and eco-friendly applications.
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spelling doaj-art-348f57aa131b4bbd8473744c181c893d2025-08-20T02:44:56ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-02-0116223010.3390/mi16020230Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy SystemSaba Ejaz0Imran Shah1Shahid Aziz2Gul Hassan3Ahmed Shuja4Muhammad Asif Khan5Dong-Won Jung6Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Mechatronics Engineering, Air University, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju-si 63243, Republic of KoreaCentre for Advanced Electronics and Photovoltaic Engineering (CAEPE), International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, PakistanCentre for Advanced Electronics and Photovoltaic Engineering (CAEPE), International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, International Islamic University, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Jeju National University, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju-si 63243, Republic of KoreaPowering wearable and portable devices, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a considerably promising technology. Low-cost production, ease of fabrication, optimal efficiency, and high output performance are always key concerns in developing energy harvesting technologies. Optimum efficiency and high output are always key concerns. This research addresses the ongoing challenge of raising efficient, flexible, and lightweight energy harvesting systems for recent wearable technologies. In this research, a triboelectric nanogenerator is proposed for harvesting the triboelectric effect. Using polyurethane (PU), a bendable TENG that is in the vertical contact separation mode was developed. UV-curable PU forms the basis of TENGs. A sponge, repurposed from landfill waste, acts by means of a spacer to maintain a consistent air gap between the tribo-layers for enhanced triboelectrification. The triboelectric nanogenerators formed a V<sub>oc</sub> approaching 500 V and a current of ~2 µA and also showed high performance with a power density of 8.53 W/m<sup>2</sup>. In addition, the triboelectric nanogenerator can light LEDs and charge capacitors, making it a self-powered energy source for portable devices, Wi-Fi, and monitoring systems. The proposed TENG provides a capable solution for sustainable, self-powered wearable electronics and has the potential for further development in energy-efficient and eco-friendly applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/2/230triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)polyurethane (PU)aluminum electrode (Al)
spellingShingle Saba Ejaz
Imran Shah
Shahid Aziz
Gul Hassan
Ahmed Shuja
Muhammad Asif Khan
Dong-Won Jung
Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy System
Micromachines
triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)
polyurethane (PU)
aluminum electrode (Al)
title Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy System
title_full Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy System
title_fullStr Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy System
title_full_unstemmed Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy System
title_short Fabrication and Characterization of a Flexible Polyurethane-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for a Harvesting Energy System
title_sort fabrication and characterization of a flexible polyurethane based triboelectric nanogenerator for a harvesting energy system
topic triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)
polyurethane (PU)
aluminum electrode (Al)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/2/230
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