Optimal Design of Surface Texture in Triboelectric Nanogenerators

doi:10.3901/JME.2020.03.130

Abstract

Abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a micro/nano electromechanical power system which is based on the ideas of self-powered nanotechnology and the mechanisms of triboelectric and electrostatic induction. An effective way to improve power generation of TENGs is to introduce micro-/nano-textures onto the contact surface. The optimum design of surface texture in TENGs is studied by combining simulation with experiment. An adhesive contact model for TENG with textured interface is established to discuss the influence of applied load, texture density and width on the power generation of TENG and obtain optimal texture parameters for maximum TENG power generation under different applied loads. In addition, TENGs with textured surfaces are fabricated and the test platform of electrical output for TENGs is constructed to verify the design effect of the optimal texture of TENG. It is shown that the optimal texture parameters of TENGs under different applied loads vary. Compared with the texture width, the influence of texture density on the power generation of TENG is more significant. In addition, the simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results, which indicates that the theoretical model can provide the guideline for the texture design in TENG.

Key words: triboelectric nanogenerator, surface texture, contact mechanics, contact electrification

CLC Number:

TH117

YANG Weixu, WANG Xiaoli, CHEN Ping. Optimal Design of Surface Texture in Triboelectric Nanogenerators[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2020, 56(3): 130-136.

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