@article{KE2026, 
author = {Wei KE and Yuncheng JI and Linqing XI and Hengfeng FANG and Lanjuan ZHOU and Dongzhi ZHANG},
title = {Fabrication and sensing performance of self-powered NO2 gas sensor},
year = {2026},
journal = {Experimental Technology and Management},
volume = {43},
number = {8},
pages = {211-217},
keywords = {triboelectric nanogenerator, self-powered, SnO2/MX ene composite, NO2, gas sensor},
url = {https://www.sciopen.com/article/10.16791/j.cnki.sjg.2026.08.025},
doi = {10.16791/j.cnki.sjg.2026.08.025},
abstract = {ObjectiveNO2 is an air pollutant that poses documented threats to human health and the ecological environment. Consequently, developing portable and low-power gas sensors for real-time NO2 monitoring is an ongoing research focus in environmental science. Traditional resistive gas sensors often require continuous energy consumption due to their structural reliance on external power sources and elevated operating temperatures. To address these limitations, this study aims to develop a self-powered, room-temperature NO2 gas sensor. By combining the room-temperature gas-sensing properties of composite nanomaterials with the mechanical energy-harvesting capabilities of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), an autonomous detection system was constructed. Specifically, an SnO2/MXene composite was utilized as the core gas-sensing material to detect NO2 concentrations, and a TENG was employed to harvest ambient mechanical energy to drive the sensing system without the need for external batteries or power grids.MethodsIn this study, an SnO2/MXene composite material was integrated into a sensing platform, leveraging the physical and chemical interactions between the catalytic properties of SnO2 and the electrical conductivity and specific surface area of MXene. For the energy-harvesting module, a contact-separation mode TENG was fabricated based on the principles of triboelectrification and electrostatic induction. The friction layers of this TENG were constructed using a commercial nylon film and an Ecoflex silicone film as positive and negative triboelectric materials, respectively, based on their differing electron affinities. A triboelectric energy-powered NO2 sensor (TENS) was constructed by electrically coupling the TENG with the resistive SnO2/MXene gas sensor through a rectifying and voltage-stabilizing circuit. This circuit uses a bridge rectifier to convert the alternating current output generated by the TENG into a direct current output to supply power. The gas-sensing characteristics of the TENS were evaluated in a custom-built gas testing chamber at room temperature, using standard NO2 gas to calibrate and control internal concentrations.ResultsThe testing procedures demonstrated the electrical output metrics of the fabricated TENG. Under mechanical excitation, the TENG achieved a maximum peak-to-peak voltage of 540 V and a maximum output power of 12 mW. Power generation capacity was visually verified by lighting 50 commercial light-emitting diodes simultaneously, which indicates sufficient power supply for driving specific low-power electronic components. Following electrical characterization, the self-powered sensing performance of the TENS for NO2 quantitative detection was evaluated. Room-temperature gas-sensing tests showed the response behavior of the SnO2/MXene-based sensor. When exposed to 100 μL/L of NO2, the self-powered sensor exhibited a response value of 39. Furthermore, the dynamic sensing curves indicated that the response and recovery times of the sensor were 33 and 80 s, respectively. This performance correlates with the heterojunction between SnO2 and MXene, which affects localized charge transfer and active adsorption site distribution for target gas molecules.ConclusionsIn summary, this study constructed a self-powered NO2 gas sensor driven by a nylon/Ecoflex TENG using an SnO2/MXene nanocomposite as the active sensing layer. The integration of mechanical energy harvesting with room-temperature gas sensing eliminates reliance on external power sources for standard sensor operations. The proposed TENS aligns with technical demands for the miniaturization, low power consumption, and simplified maintenance protocols of environmental monitoring equipment. By enabling self-sustained operation, this work provides empirical data and a technical reference for the research and development of portable atmospheric pollutant detection devices in Internet of Things applications.}
}