Triboelectric nanogenerator based on degradable materials for efficient self-powered seed growth promotion system

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are emerging devices with the ability to harvest energy in the environment. Natural biomaterials as friction layers for developing the degradable TENG have attracted considerable attention. However, achieving high electrical output performance and degradability simultaneously in a TENG remains challenging. Herein, we obtained a polylactic acid (PLA)/chitosan/cellulose biodegradable materials from natural shrimp shells and seaweed (reusing the wastes) and fabricated the degradable material based TENG (generating electricity without pollution). The open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of TENG can reach 744 V, which is enhanced 65.7% with the addition of 25 wt.% PLA. Meanwhile, a self-powered agriculture protecting system based on the degradable TENG has been constructed, which has a longer working life time (24 days) than similar degradable TENG and a good degradability (complete degradation in soil within 56 days). A suitable working life time not only efficiently promotes seed germination rate of 19%, and eliminates 97% pest eggs as well, achieving multi-functional long-term maintenance. This work provides a new solution to achieve high electrical output performance for degradable TENG, presenting broad and excellent application prospects for different stages of plant growth.