Charge-Accumulating Flutter-Type Triboelectric Nanogenerator as High Performance Self-Powered Portable Device

For a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), achieving both a high RMS (root-mean-square) output current and a portability remains a challenge. Herein, a charge accumulation fluttering based triboelectric nanogenerator (CAF-TENG) with an ultrahigh RMS output current, an average power density and an outstanding portability is proposed. Because of the electron accumulation and electrostatic discharge mechanism and electrical-mechanical fluttering device design, the CAF-TENG can generate an RMS output voltage, RMS output current, and average power output density of 44 V, 36 mA, and 26 mW cm−3, respectively. The maximum peak output voltage and current are 508 V and 1.6 A, respectively. The CAF-TENG is optimized via quantitative RMS voltage-current database and mechanical behavior analysis. The wind-driven CAF-TENG can power 2000 commercial LEDs matrix and charge high-capacitance capacitors or commercial lithium batteries. Furthermore, a respiration-driven mask-valve-integrated CAF-TENG is fabricated, which can power 40-W commercial lamps and operate a commercial Bluetooth tracker sensor by charging a capacitor. These results suggest that the CAF-TENG can function as a self-powered portable device in everyday life. Moreover, these findings will provide a new guideline for improving the electrical output level of existing TENGs.