MXene-Based Nanocomposites for Triboelectric Nanogenerators
A project focused on developing novel MXene-based nanocomposites to significantly enhance the performance, durability, and applicability of Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) for self-powered electronics and sensors.
This project explores the integration of MXene, a 2D material, into various polymer matrices like Ecoflex and PVDF to create advanced nanocomposites for Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs). The research demonstrates multiple approaches, including coating fabrics with MXene/Ecoflex and creating electrospun PVDF/MXene composite nanofibers. These methods significantly boost the TENGs' output performance by enhancing their negative triboelectric properties, dielectric constant, and surface charge density. The resulting high-output, robust, and sometimes waterproof TENGs are then applied to a range of practical, self-powered systems, including smart home controls, wearable motion sensors, and smart environmental monitors, showcasing the versatility and potential of MXene in next-generation energy harvesting technologies.
- The MXene/Ecoflex TENG delivered a high power density of 9.24 W m⁻² and was successfully used in a self-powered smart carpet and sleep monitor.
- The PVDF-TrFE/MXene TENG showed a fourfold improvement in output and a power density of 4.02 W/m², successfully acting as a self-powered switch for smart home appliances.
- The PVDF/MXene TENG achieved a peak power of 4.6 mW (11.21 W/m²) and was demonstrated as a self-powered foot motion sensor for smart stairs.
- Overall, the integration of MXene proved to be a highly effective strategy for creating robust, high-output TENGs for a variety of practical applications.
The project involved synthesizing MXene-based nanocomposites and integrating them as highly negative triboelectric layers in TENGs. Two primary methods were explored: 1) Coating fabrics with a MXene/Ecoflex nanocomposite to create a stable, waterproof friction layer. 2) Fabricating composite nanofibers by electrospinning MXene with PVDF or PVDF-TrFE. The performance of these TENGs was boosted by modulating the dielectric properties and surface charge density of the materials. The fabricated devices were then tested for their power output and demonstrated in various real-world self-powered applications.