Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Biocompatible and Easily Available Polymer Films

We have fabricated robust triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) employing different polymer films which are biocompatible and easily available. The combination of polyurethane and PTFE layers is seen to provide the highest TENG parameters with an open circuit peak‐to‐peak output voltage of ∼33.5 V and a current value of 27.4 μA with a gentle tapping force of 0.33 N. The topography of the film surface has been characterized using atomic force microscopy in conjunction with image analysis. We find a very good, albeit non‐linear, correlation between the TENG electrical output and the surface roughness. Our studies do not support any relation between the permittivity of the medium and the TENG output. Employing cellulose acetate and Kapton as the triboelectric layers, we have constructed a simple force sensor, whose output is seen to be highly linear over a large range of force varying from 0.24 to 5.2 N, and a significantly high output of 1.5 V/N. Fabrication of robust environmental friendly TENG device by employing biocompatible, inexpensive and easily available polymeric films which efficiently harvests the mechanical energy in the form of vibration; demonstration of the pressure sensor with highly linear output over a varied range of force.