Arch-Shaped Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on PTFE, Paper, and Aluminum for Sustainable Energy Harvesting

The growing adoption of flexible and portable electronic devices has created an increasing need for sustainable power sources that can operate without relying on conventional batteries. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have attracted significant attention due to their ability to convert ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy. However, practical contact-separation TENGs may require additional spacers, elastic supports, or other structural components to maintain repeated contact and separation. This study presents a spacer-free arch-shaped TENG based on a laminated structure consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), paper, and aluminum. The arch configuration provides an inherent restoring tendency that facilitates contact-separation operation without a discrete spacer or additional elastic support. The fabricated device was experimentally evaluated through open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current, load-dependent electrical characterization, power measurement, capacitor charging, and LED illumination. Under the manual mechanical actuation conditions used in the present study, the device exhibited a maximum open-circuit voltage of 69 V, a reported peak short-circuit current of 68 μA, and a peak power output of 8.576 μW at an optimal load resistance of approximately 55 MΩ. Furthermore, the TENG charged a 4.7 µF capacitor to 7 V within approximately 60 s and directly illuminated 30 commercial light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These results demonstrate the feasibility of combining a simple spacer-free arch-shaped configuration with readily available materials for low-cost triboelectric energy harvesting. Long-term cyclic durability, controlled mechanical excitation, environmental stability, and matched structural control experiments remain important areas for future investigation.