Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are ideal for meeting the global demand for sustainable energy in energy harvesting and wearable electronics. While biomaterials like polysaccharides are well studied in TENGs, the potential of polyphenols and the role of phenolic groups in contact electrificatio...

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Main Authors: Zehao Fang, Xuefei Guan, Jingjing He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2348
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author Zehao Fang
Xuefei Guan
Jingjing He
author_facet Zehao Fang
Xuefei Guan
Jingjing He
author_sort Zehao Fang
collection DOAJ
description Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are ideal for meeting the global demand for sustainable energy in energy harvesting and wearable electronics. While biomaterials like polysaccharides are well studied in TENGs, the potential of polyphenols and the role of phenolic groups in contact electrification remain underexplored. This study bridges the gap by using tannic acid (TA) to rapidly prepare TA-Fe<sup>3+</sup> complex-coated particle films in 1.2 min. Analysis reveals that phenolic hydroxyl groups are strong electron donors, with Fe<sup>3+</sup> enhancing electron affinity by restricting their mobility and lowering molecular orbital energy levels. Adjusting the pH to control complex states enables the regulation of triboelectric charging behavior between positive and negative. Investigations into film micromorphology and particle size further optimize performance, with the tris-complex exhibiting negative charging behavior achieving exceptional stability and a high charge density of 92.5 μC·m<sup>−2</sup>. Additionally, integrating biomaterials into bio-TENGs and exploring the film’s pH and ion sensitivity broaden its applications, demonstrating versatile properties. This study clarifies the triboelectric properties of phenolic groups and proposes methods to regulate charging behavior, offering novel insights for developing biomaterials in TENGs.
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spelling doaj-art-b4c7da711db34474bc3e1e56c559f1f02025-08-20T02:58:47ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-05-01189234810.3390/en18092348Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal ComplexesZehao Fang0Xuefei Guan1Jingjing He2School of Reliability and Systems Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, ChinaGraduate School of China Academy of Engineering Physics, Beijing 100193, ChinaSchool of Reliability and Systems Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, ChinaTriboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are ideal for meeting the global demand for sustainable energy in energy harvesting and wearable electronics. While biomaterials like polysaccharides are well studied in TENGs, the potential of polyphenols and the role of phenolic groups in contact electrification remain underexplored. This study bridges the gap by using tannic acid (TA) to rapidly prepare TA-Fe<sup>3+</sup> complex-coated particle films in 1.2 min. Analysis reveals that phenolic hydroxyl groups are strong electron donors, with Fe<sup>3+</sup> enhancing electron affinity by restricting their mobility and lowering molecular orbital energy levels. Adjusting the pH to control complex states enables the regulation of triboelectric charging behavior between positive and negative. Investigations into film micromorphology and particle size further optimize performance, with the tris-complex exhibiting negative charging behavior achieving exceptional stability and a high charge density of 92.5 μC·m<sup>−2</sup>. Additionally, integrating biomaterials into bio-TENGs and exploring the film’s pH and ion sensitivity broaden its applications, demonstrating versatile properties. This study clarifies the triboelectric properties of phenolic groups and proposes methods to regulate charging behavior, offering novel insights for developing biomaterials in TENGs.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2348tannic acidmetal-coordinated complexestriboelectric nanogeneratortriboelectric charging behaviorgreen energy harvesting
spellingShingle Zehao Fang
Xuefei Guan
Jingjing He
Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes
Energies
tannic acid
metal-coordinated complexes
triboelectric nanogenerator
triboelectric charging behavior
green energy harvesting
title Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes
title_full Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes
title_fullStr Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes
title_full_unstemmed Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes
title_short Advancing Polyphenol-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators via pH-Modulated Rapid Synthesis of Tannic Acid–Metal Complexes
title_sort advancing polyphenol based triboelectric nanogenerators via ph modulated rapid synthesis of tannic acid metal complexes
topic tannic acid
metal-coordinated complexes
triboelectric nanogenerator
triboelectric charging behavior
green energy harvesting
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/9/2348
work_keys_str_mv AT zehaofang advancingpolyphenolbasedtriboelectricnanogeneratorsviaphmodulatedrapidsynthesisoftannicacidmetalcomplexes
AT xuefeiguan advancingpolyphenolbasedtriboelectricnanogeneratorsviaphmodulatedrapidsynthesisoftannicacidmetalcomplexes
AT jingjinghe advancingpolyphenolbasedtriboelectricnanogeneratorsviaphmodulatedrapidsynthesisoftannicacidmetalcomplexes