Field emission effect in triboelectric nanogenerators

Di Liu, Yikui Gao, Wenyan Qiao, Linglin Zhou, Lixia He, Cuiying Ye, Bingzhe Jin, Baofeng Zhang, Zhong Lin Wang () and Jie Wang ()
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Di Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yikui Gao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Wenyan Qiao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Linglin Zhou: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lixia He: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Cuiying Ye: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bingzhe Jin: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Baofeng Zhang: Hubei University of Automotive Technology
Zhong Lin Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jie Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have garnered increasing attention due to their exceptional ability to convert mechanical energy into electricity. Previous understanding is that the electric performance of TENGs is primarily restricted by contact electrification, air breakdown, and dielectric breakdown effects. Here, we have discovered the occurrence of field emission arising from contact electrification and identified its limitation on surface charge density, subsequently impacting the output performance of TENGs. More importantly, we reveal that field emission occurs prior to dielectric breakdown, introducing a new limitation for TENGs performance. By suppressing the field emission effect, an ultrahigh charge density in contact electrification, reaching up to 2.816 mC m−2, is achieved, significantly exceeding previous reports. Additionally, we show that by regulating the field emission effect, TENGs could produce an energy density over 10 J m−2. These findings are crucial for improving TENG’s performance and enhancing the understanding of contact electrification.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59927-4

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