Optimization of Charge Transfer on Fluorinated Polymers towards Efficient Sustainable Energy Harvesters: Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs)

Inhalt:
The triboelectric effect, which allows the conversion of mechanical energy from the surrounding into electrical energy, is a known phenomenon, allowing the generation of clean and sustainable energy utilizing Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs). Here, porous fluorinated polymers were investigated for their triboelectric output performance utilizing a Faraday Cup to examine the amount of created charges. First, different polymer samples made of PDMS, non-foamed poly-MD700 and foamed Fluoropor were pressed against copper with controlled forces. Hereby, the relationship between the applied forces and the charge output was found, as well as the positive influence of fluorination of polymers and the surface roughness. Furthermore, the porous Fluoropor was pressed against various second triboelectric partners showing that the output could be increased in accordance with the triboelectric series: that metals like aluminium and copper generate a higher charge transfer than nitrile under the same conditions.