Enhanced Triboelectric Nanogenerator Performance Based on Mechanical Imprinting PDMS Microstructures

Abstract A vertical contact‐separated mode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is fabricated by imprinting the nylon mesh to obtain the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film with micro‐nano structure, and it is used to provide electric energy for the impressed current cathodic protection. The output of PDMS film obtained by 200 mesh nylon mesh imprinting is significantly improved, with an open circuit potential of 1120 V and a charge transfer of 63 nC, which is about twice that of a smooth PDMS film. It also performs well for cathodic protection, and electrochemical test results show that the open circuit potential of the protected metal in artificial seawater can decrease by 275 mV. Experiments show that the output of TENG can make calculators, flame alarms, and other electronic equipment work normally after being stored by capacitors. In addition, this work has the advantages of having simple operation, low equipment demands, and low cost.