High performance wide frequency band triboelectric nanogenerator based on multilayer wave superstructure for harvesting vibration energy

Efficiently converting the random vibration energy widely existed in human activities and natural environments into electricity is significant to the local power supply of sensor nodes in the internet of things. However, the conversion efficiency of energy harvester is relatively low due to the limitation of device’s intrinsic frequency. In this work, a multi-layered, wavy super-structured-triboelectric nanogenerator (SS-TENG) is designed, whose output performances can be greatly promoted by combining the charge excitation mechanism. The steel sheet acts not only as an electrode but also as a supporter for the overall frame of SS-TENG, which effectively improves the space utilization rate and results in a volume charge density up to 129 mC·m−3. In addition, the resonant frequency width of the SS-TENG can be widened by changing the parameters of the superstructure. For demonstration, the SS-TENG can sustainably drive two temperature and humidity sensors in parallel by harvesting vibration energy. This work may provide an effective strategy for harvesting vibration energy and broadening frequency response.