Design of a humidity-resistant triboelectric nanogenerator based on a CAU-10-(SO3H)0.08(OH)0.92/PVC composite film for producing hydrogen via water electrolysis application

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are capable of effectively scavenging ambient tiny mechanical energy and converting it into electrical energy, offering significant potential for applications in self-powered sensing and electrical energy storage systems. However, the practical utility of TENGs in high-humidity environments is severely restricted due to the detrimental effects of moisture. Herein, we have fabricated a TENG utilizing a CAU-10-(SO₃H)_0.08(OH)_0.92/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite film as the negative triboelectric layer and Al foil as the positive triboelectric layer, which exhibits the ability to sustain stable output voltage and current even under highly ambient humidity conditions. At a relative humidity (RH) of 20%, the 2 wt%-CAU-10-(SO₃H)_0.08(OH)_0.92/PVC composite film-based TENG achieved an open-circuit voltage (V_oc) of 318 V, a short circuit-current (I_sc) of 30 μA, a short-circuit charge transfer (Q_sc) of 77 nC and a peak power of 2.69 mW. The device still maintains stable output voltage and current signals even at 90% RH. There is no obvious decline in the output voltage of the TENG after continuous working for about 36 000 operational cycles. Through a transformer and a rectifier circuit, the TENG was capable of charging a 10 mF capacitor to 2.7 V in 3.48 h, which was subsequently employed for water electrolysis to generate hydrogen. After 30 electrolysis cycles, the system produced 54 μL of H₂ at a rate of 143.6 μL h⁻¹ m⁻². This work offers a reference for the development of CAU-10-(SO₃H)_0.08(OH)_0.92-based composites with humidity resistance, which is essential for the application of TENGs in high-humidity environments.