Characterization of PI/PVDF-TrFE Composite Nanofiber-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators Depending on the Type of the Electrospinning System

Abstract

An electrospun nanofiber membrane significantly improves the electrical performances of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) due to its high surface area. In recent years, composite nanofibers were applied to a TENG using various electrospinning system types to further enhance the performance of TENGs; however, the effects of the systems on the energy harvesting capability of TENGs have not been investigated thoroughly. This study aims to fabricate polyimide/poly- (vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) composite nanofiber-based TENGs with three different nozzle systems: single nozzle, conjugated nozzle, and multinozzles, and two different collectors: plate collector and drum collector. A TENG with multinozzledrum system-based nanofibers produced an output voltage of 364 V, a short-circuit current of 17.2 μA, a transferred charge of 29.72 nC, and a power density of 2.56 W/m2 at a load resistance of 100 MΩ, which were ∼7 times higher than those of other system-based nanofibers. Under the 10,000 cycles of loading, the TENG stably harvested electric energy. The TENG could also harvest energy from the human body motions, and it is sufficient to illuminate 117 light-emitting diodes and drive several electronic devices. The proposed TENG exhibits excellent electric performances as a wearable energy harvester.