Dynamic co-irradiation techniques: A new method improving the electrical output of TENG by optimizing the charge capture capacity of polypropylene membrane

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a new energy device which can convert mechanical energy into electric energy. Its development and application mainly depend on its output performance. Material improvement, structural optimization, surface modification and other methods have proved to be effective in improving the output performance of TENG. However, so far, there is no industrial technology that can both guarantee the high output performance of TENG and realize large-scale production. Here, we are the first to assemble Radiant polypropylene -TENG (RP-TENG), where the Radiant polypropylene friction material was obtained by the dynamic co-irradiation modification technology of polypropylene (PP). Through FT-IR, SEM and other analysis methods, the mechanism of TENG's electrical output improvement is explained from multiple perspectives. With the treatment under the irradiation dose of 28KGy, the current, charge, and voltage of the RP-TENG reaches up to 9.67 μA, 109.06 nC and 220 V, which is about 4.4 times, 2.5 times and 2.2 times respectively that of the TENG assembled by commercial PP. The reason for the improved performance of the RP-TENG is that the high energy of gamma rays can enhance the surface electron density of the material and change the electron transfer ability of the dielectric material. In addition, the grafted amide group makes the surface of the friction material more prone to electron loss. The homomorphic co-irradiation technology can confer better electrical properties on the friction layer, which provides a new means for enhancing the properties of polymer-based TENG.