Augmented triboelectric properties of graphene-filled poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) nanofibers

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through the triboelectric effect, supplying power to a wide array of advanced sensing and monitoring systems. In this work, we utilized graphene-filled nanofibrous poly(vinylidene difluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) as TENGs, employing electrospinning technology. We examined how the dielectric characteristics and transferred charge of the electrification mat affect the output of TENGs. By including graphene nanofillers, the 15 wt% graphene/PVDF-HFP electrospun nanofiber TENG achieved a peak output voltage of 1024 V and a relevant current density of 1.11 μA cm⁻². The improved performance of the electrospun graphene/PVDF-HFP nanofibrous TENGs could be attributed to increased interface polarization and enhanced charge transfer, indicating more effective seize and storage of triboelectric electrons. Furthermore, the fabricated TENGs remained stable when tested for over 20 000 cycles and were capable of powering an array of 1000 light-emitting diode bulbs. The electrospun graphene-filled nanofibrous TENGs demonstrated significant potential for collecting mechanical energy and supplying power to electronic devices.