60Co-γ Irradiation-Induced Shift and Polarity Reversal in the Triboelectric Series of Poly(ether sulfone)s

The sensitivity of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) to the surface charge density highlights the significance of triboelectric materials and their modifications. Efforts have been directed toward developing effective strategies for increasing the surface charge density, expanding the potential applications of TENGs. This study proposes the use of irradiation technology for grafting to modify the electron-donating capability of poly(ether sulfone) (PES), thereby affording a dual benefit of enhancing the surface charge density and inducing a shift in the position of PES from negative to positive within the triboelectric series. The TENG based on grafted PES has resulted in a significant 3-fold increase in surface charge density compared to that of pristine PES, reaching 263 μC m–2. The surface charge density can be further increased to 502 μC m–2 through charge pumping. Notably, irradiation technology presents advantages over chemical grafting methods, particularly in terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness. This innovative approach shows great potential in advancing the domain of TENGs.