Electric-field-driven interfacial trapping of drifting triboelectric charges via contact electrification

In this paper, we report a new facile strategy to maximize the charge density for a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). It was realized by designing a new cationic material structure consisting of SiO2 and MoS2 coated on a Ni-mesh in sequence. Compared with Ni-mesh-based TENGs, this new TENG generated about 13 times higher output power and a superior charge density of over 1000 mu C m(-2) with a slow charge decay rate. Its extremely high charge density could be explained by a low work function of MoS2, an upward bending of the energy band at the interface between MoS2 and SiO2, and a high charge capacity of SiO2. Based on the gear-cam mode, the average output power of the TENG was measured to be about 14.75 W m(-2).

Automated summary

In this study, a new strategy was developed to achieve maximum charge density in a high-output triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). By designing a cationic material structure of SiO2 and MoS2 coated on a Ni-mesh, the new TENG generated significantly higher output power and superior charge density compared to Ni-mesh-based TENGs. The high charge density was attributed to the low work function of MoS2, upward bending of the energy band at the MoS2-SiO2 interface, and the high charge capacity of SiO2. The TENG demonstrated an average output power of 14.75 W m(-2) based on the gear-cam mode.