Engineering flexible 3D printed triboelectric nanogenerator to self-power electro-Fenton degradation of pollutants

By harvesting the ambient mechanical energy using a 3D printed elastic triboelectric nanogenerator (PE-TENG), a self-powered electro-Fenton (EF) system is integrated to sustainably remove methylene blue (MB) with the biomass-based carbon materials as cathode catalysts featuring distinct vesicle-like structure, high surface area, good superhydrophilicity and large defect degree. Here, the PE-TENG characteristic of resource efficiency, time saving, and design flexibility produces maximum power density of 1.95 W m−2 and short-circuit current of 375 μA, qualifying itself as a portable power to drive the EF system. With the continuous electricity generated by PE-TENG, the MB removal efficiency can reach up to 97.0% within 140 min. With a collection of compelling features, such as flexible design of PE-TENG, high removal efficiency for MB, wide availability of biomass-derived cathode catalyst, the present work provides various accesses to other 3D-printed self-powered EF system with flexible, shape-adaptive, energy-/cost-saving integration to restore green hills and blue waters. [Display omitted] •A printed elastic TENG with elastic supporting substrate is fabricated by a 3D printer.•Biomass-derived carbon materials synthesized by KHCO3–MgO with vesicle-like structure.•Ingenious alliance of PE-TENG and synthetic materials to self-power EF degradation of MB.