A high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator with dual nanostructure for remote control of switching circuit

Preparing nanostructured surfaces has been considered an effective method to improve the output of
triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), but how to quickly prepare materials with a nanostructured
surface for TENGs has always been a challenge. Here, polypropylene nanowires and electrospun nylon
11 nanofibers were successfully prepared through a simple and time-saving method with a high success
rate. Compared with a flat TENG, the output performance of a dual nanostructured TENG is enhanced
by more than 5 times. After 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl trichlorosilane was assembled on the surface of
the polypropylene film, the dual nanostructured TENG achieved the maximum output with the short
circuit current, output voltage, and charge density of 63.3 mA, 1135 V and 161.5 mCm−2, respectively.
Compared with a planar structured TENG, the short-circuit current and output voltage were enhanced
by about 18 times, and the charge density was increased by about 36 times. In addition, the TENG
showed good working stability with almost no decrease in output after continuous operation for 193000
cycles. The electricity generated by this TENG can successfully light up 1280 LEDs and continuously
power a multi-functional electronic watch. Finally, the triboelectric signal generated by this TENG was
used to control an optocoupler switch, indicating good application prospects in a remote control
switching circuit.