MnO -PMMA self-powered triboelectric catalysts based on three-dimensional nanocomposite structures for formaldehyde degradation at room temperature

• A self-powered triboelectric catalyst is prepared by electrostatic spinning. • The triboelectric catalysts promote the generation of reactive oxygen species. • Triboelectric charges promote the continuous decomposition of intermediate products. • The CO 2 production efficiency can be improved to78.93%. The accumulation of intermediates is an important reason for the inactivation of many catalysts including formaldehyde (HCHO) degradation materials. Herein, self-powered triboelectric catalysts (MnO x -PMMA-SSM) with a three-dimensional nanocomposite structure self-assembled by nanoflowered MnO x inlaid porous polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers based on stainless steel mesh (SSM) substrate, is fabricated by electrostatic spinning and hydrolysis methods. The self-powered triboelectric catalysts can promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (O*) under the action of triboelectric charges from the friction between PMMA fibers and SSM driven by the wind, thus promoting the catalytic oxidation of HCHO and intermediates. In the 15 ppm HCHO atmosphere, the CO 2 production efficiency for the self-powered triboelectric catalysts can improve 36.25% up to78.93% compared with traditional MnO x catalysts, and the catalyst life is as high as 72 h without evident decay. This research provides a new strategy for high-efficiency, long-term and zero-energy degradation HCHO at room temperature.