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Nano Research 2024, 17(3): 1942-1951 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-023-6147-3
Research Article | Issue | Published: 02 October 2023

Robust, breathable, and chemical-resistant polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films achieved by novel in-situ fibrillation strategy for high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators

Show Author's Information Jialong Chai1,  Guilong Wang1( ),  Jinchuan Zhao2,  Guizhen Wang2,  Chao Wei1,  Aimin Zhang1,  Guoqun Zhao1
Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Key Laboratory of Chinese Education Ministry for Tropical Biological Resources, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Keywords:
triboelectric nanogenerator, hydrophobic, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), self-powered sensor, nanofibrous film
Topics:
Films NanofibersNanogenerators Porous materials
Cite this article:
Chai J, Wang G, Zhao J, et al. Robust, breathable, and chemical-resistant polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films achieved by novel in-situ fibrillation strategy for high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators. Nano Research, 2024, 17(3): 1942-1951. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-023-6147-3
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Abstract Full text Electronic supplementary material About this article

In the era of advanced wearable electronic devices, the triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) as energy harvesting and self-powered sensing units hold great promise. Selecting appropriate triboelectric material is the crucial factor to optimize the performance of TENG, while polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) stands out as a highly versatile option among the various materials. In this study, we present an ultrafine nanofibrous PTFE (NF-PTFE) films prepared by novel in-situ fibrillation strategy as the triboelectric material in TENG devices. The innovative processing methodology facilely addresses the dilemma between high porosity and fine pore size of traditional porous PTFE films, meanwhile achieves exceptional mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, air permeability, and chemical resistance of the films. With the integration of nanofibrous PTFE films into contact-separation mode TENG and droplet-based TENG, these devices realize the peak electrical output of 131 V/10.8 μA and 54 V/14 μA with great durability, which surpass the performance of TENGs using traditional expanded PTFE films. Furthermore, a smart glove capable of recognizing hand gestures is proposed, which demonstrates the versatility, flexibility, and practicality of this material for potential use in smart devices. This reported NF-PTFE film provides insights for the design of high-performance TENG device for advanced wearable electrical applications.


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Electronic supplementary material
About this article

Robust, breathable, and chemical-resistant polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) films achieved by novel in-situ fibrillation strategy for high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators

Show Author's information Jialong Chai1, Guilong Wang1( ), Jinchuan Zhao2, Guizhen Wang2, Chao Wei1, Aimin Zhang1, Guoqun Zhao1
Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of Materials (Ministry of Education), Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
Key Laboratory of Chinese Education Ministry for Tropical Biological Resources, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China

Abstract

In the era of advanced wearable electronic devices, the triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) as energy harvesting and self-powered sensing units hold great promise. Selecting appropriate triboelectric material is the crucial factor to optimize the performance of TENG, while polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) stands out as a highly versatile option among the various materials. In this study, we present an ultrafine nanofibrous PTFE (NF-PTFE) films prepared by novel in-situ fibrillation strategy as the triboelectric material in TENG devices. The innovative processing methodology facilely addresses the dilemma between high porosity and fine pore size of traditional porous PTFE films, meanwhile achieves exceptional mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, air permeability, and chemical resistance of the films. With the integration of nanofibrous PTFE films into contact-separation mode TENG and droplet-based TENG, these devices realize the peak electrical output of 131 V/10.8 μA and 54 V/14 μA with great durability, which surpass the performance of TENGs using traditional expanded PTFE films. Furthermore, a smart glove capable of recognizing hand gestures is proposed, which demonstrates the versatility, flexibility, and practicality of this material for potential use in smart devices. This reported NF-PTFE film provides insights for the design of high-performance TENG device for advanced wearable electrical applications.

Keywords: triboelectric nanogenerator, hydrophobic, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), self-powered sensor, nanofibrous film

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Publication history
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Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 07 August 2023
Revised: 23 August 2023
Accepted: 30 August 2023
Published: 02 October 2023
Issue date: March 2024

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press 2023

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

This study received financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52175341) and Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No. ZR2022JQ24).

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