Novel Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator based on Metallized Porous PDMS and Parylene C

Massimo Mariello, Elisa Scarpa, Luciana Algieri, Francesco Guido, Vincenzo Mariano Mastronardi, Antonio Qualtieri and Massimo De Vittorio
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Massimo Mariello: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, 73010 Arnesano (Lecce), Italy
Elisa Scarpa: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, 73010 Arnesano (Lecce), Italy
Luciana Algieri: Piezoskin s.r.l., 73010 Arnesano (Lecce), Italy
Francesco Guido: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, 73010 Arnesano (Lecce), Italy
Vincenzo Mariano Mastronardi: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, 73010 Arnesano (Lecce), Italy
Antonio Qualtieri: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, 73010 Arnesano (Lecce), Italy
Massimo De Vittorio: Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, 73010 Arnesano (Lecce), Italy

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-12

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have recently become a powerful technology for energy harvesting and self-powered sensor networks. One of their main advantages is the possibility to employ a wide range of materials, especially for fabricating inexpensive and easy-to-use devices. This paper reports the fabrication and preliminary characterization of a novel flexible triboelectric nanogenerator which could be employed for driving future low power consumption wearable devices. The proposed TENG is a single-electrode device operating in contact-separation mode for applications in low-frequency energy harvesting from intermittent tapping loads involving the human body, such as finger or hand tapping. The novelty of the device lies in the choice of materials: it is based on a combination of a polysiloxane elastomer and a poly (para-xylylene). In particular, the TENG is composed, sequentially, of a poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrate which was made porous and rough with a steam-curing step; then, a metallization layer with titanium and gold, deposited on the PDMS surface with an optimal substrate–electrode adhesion. Finally, the metallized structure was coated with a thin film of parylene C serving as friction layer. This material provides excellent conformability and high charge-retaining capability, playing a crucial role in the triboelectric process; it also makes the device suitable for employment in harsh, wet environments owing to its inertness and barrier properties. Preliminary performance tests were conducted by measuring the open-circuit voltage and power density under finger tapping (~2 N) at ~5 Hz. The device exhibited a peak-to-peak voltage of 1.6 V and power density peak of 2.24 mW/m 2 at ~0.4 MΩ. The proposed TENG demonstrated ease of process, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility.

Keywords: triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG); mechanical energy harvesting; single-electrode; tapping; flexibility; porous/rough PDMS; parylene C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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