Harnessing Energy Through ZnO-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator: A Comparative Analysis of Polymer Materials, with Emphasis on PVDF Nanofibers

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), which efficiently capture and convert mechanical energy, offer an innovative solution for developing green energy sources. In this work, we developed a zinc oxide (ZnO)-based TENG for use in vertical contact-separation mode by combining it with several polymers (polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE], fluorinated ethylene propylene [FEP], polydimethylsiloxane [PDMS], polyethylene terephthalate [PET], polyethylene naphthalate [PEN], polyvinylidene difluoride [PVDF]) and mica. Radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering was used to fabricate ZnO thin films with higher optical transmission and c-axis orientation. When combined with mica and PEN, ZnO behaves as a negative tribo layer, while when combined with the other polymers, it behaves as a positive tribo layer. ZnO with PVDF nanofibers generated maximum output, with an open-circuit voltage of 42 V. To determine the maximum power density and energy storage performance, the ZnO-PVDF TENG response was examined under various load conditions of resistance and capacitance. The power density was calculated using this device and found to be 62 µW/cm². Furthermore, the manufactured TENG was demonstrated to power a digital watch and LEDs.