Performance-enhanced eco-friendly triboelectric nanogenerator via
wettability manipulation of lignin
Abstract
Eco-friendly and sustainable energy harvests that can alleviate concerns
on the energy crisis and environmental pollution are in demand.
Exploiting nature-derived biomaterials is imperative to develop these
carbon-neutral energy harvesters. In this study, lignin/polycaprolactone
nanofiber (NF)-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are fabricated
using an electrospinning technique. Nanotextured morphology of
electrospun lignin/polycaprolactone NFs and wettability modification of
lignin into hydrophilicity can significantly enhance electron transfer
between tribopositive and tribonegative materials, resulting in the
highest energy-harvesting efficiency in their class. The output voltage
of the lignin-based TENG exceeds 95 V despite relatively low tapping
force of 9 N and frequency of 9 Hz. Various mechanical and
physicochemical characterizations, including scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, X-ray
diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis,
and atomic force microscopy (AFM), are performed, confirming the
mechanical durability, biocompatibility, and industrial viability of
lignin-based TENG developed here.