Low-cost fabrication of the highly efficient triboelectric nanogenerator by designing a 3D multi-layer origami structure combined with self-charged pumping module

The explosive development of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) performance, with a simple structure and low cost, has become an excellent candidate for a primary self-powered source of portable modern-electronic devices. There are several approaches to booting TENG performance. However, some of them still encounter major challenges when fabricating a lightweight, flexible and scalable design. Herein, three main strategies; 1) structural design with 3D multi-layer Origami structure, 2) physical surface roughness modification, and 3) connection of a self-charge pumping module (SCPM) were selected and considered in terms of cheapness, light weight and scalability, with a simple manufacturing process. By optimizing these three strategies, the 3D multi-layer Origami TENG (O-TENG) can achieve an output performance of VOC ~110 V and ISC ~26 μA, which is 18 and 52 times higher than that for the non-optimized polyimide (PI) TENG, respectively. The output voltage demonstrates consistency and fast chargeability of ∼38 V saturation voltage within ∼8 s for a 0.22μF capacitor. The maximum of ~697 μW output power (P) could be provided at 10 MΩ. The number of origami layers (n) plays an important role in output performance, while integrating an SCPM module that accelerates chargeability of the device. Moreover, the cylindrical pocket energy harvesting device was designed to harvest biomechanical energy in daily life. One hundred and seventy light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be lit and the electric calculator driven easily. The proposed strategies have the potential for high-throughput fabrication of the low-cost TENG, and can be used simply as an alternative self-powered source for portable/wearable modern electronic devices.