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A Facile Method and Novel Mechanism Using Microneedle-Structured PDMS for Triboelectric Generator Applications

A Facile Method and Novel Mechanism Using Microneedle-Structured PDMS for Triboelectric Generator Applications
Van-Long Trinh, Chen-Kuei Chung
The triboelectric generator (TEG) is a cost-effective, multi-fabricated, friendly mechanical-energy-harvesting device. The traditional TEG, generally formed by two triboelectric materials in multilayers or a simple pattern, generated triboelectricity as it worked in the cycling contact–separation operation. This paper demonstrates a novel, high-aspect-ratio, microneedle (MN)-structured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based triboelectric generator (MN-TEG) by means of a low-cost, simple fabrication using CO2 laser ablation on the polymethyl methacrylate substrate and a molding process. The MN-TEG, consisting of an aluminum foil and a microneedle-structured PDMS (MN-PDMS) film, generates an output performance with an open-circuit voltage up to 102.8 V, and a short-circuit current of 43.1 µA, corresponding to the current density of 1.5 µA cm−2. With introducing MN-PDMS into the MN-TEG, a great increase of randomly closed bending–friction–deformation (BFD) behavior of MNs leads to highly enhanced triboelectric performance of the MN-TEG. The BFD keeps increasingly on in-contact between MN with Al that results in enhancement of electrical capacitance of PDMS. The effect of aspect ratio and density of MN morphology on the output performance of MN-PDMS TEG is studied further. The MN-TEG can rapidly charge electric energy on a 0.1 µF capacitor up to 2.1 V in about 0.56 s. The MN-TEG source under tapping can light up 53 light-emitting diodes with different colors, connected in series. A facile method and novel mechanism using microneedle-structured polydimethysiloxane are applied for triboelectric generator (MN-TEG) applications. High electrical output performance shows an open-circuit voltage of 102.8 V, short-circuit current of 41.3 µA, and a current density of 1.5 µA cm−2. The MN-TEG is especially fabricated by a low-cost, simple, and quick-manufacturing method including CO2 laser ablation and molding processes.

Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/resolve/doi

DOI: 10.1002/smll.201700373

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