Enhancing the output energy of triboelectric nanogenerator by adaptive arc discharge devices and its application in wireless weather sensing system

Combined with power management circuit (PMC), triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has expanded its application in self-powered systems, but the switches suitable for TENG are still in research. Compared with mechanical switches and electronic switches, gas discharge devices are promising due to the advantages of light weight, easy integration, voltage adaptability, stability in both discharge voltage and longtime operation. Here, a TENG driven tip-tip electrode air discharge switch (T-TADS) is developed for significantly improving the output performance of triboelectric nanogenerator and energy storage efficiency (ηes) of PMC. Compared with the same TENG without T-TADS, the maximum instantaneous power on external resistance lower than 1 MΩ are enhanced by 1600 times. Combined with passive PMC, the ηes reaches 58.9 % when the tip-tip distance is 2.2 mm. To extend the versatility of gas discharge switches, gas discharge tubes (GDTs) with stable breakdown voltage (Vbr), small size, light weight (∼ 0.9 g), and easy integration characters are also measured. The results show that GDTs have similar electrical properties to the T-TADS, and the maximum ηes is 56.3 % when the Vbr is 1000 V. Finally, based on a wind driven TENG and PMC including a GDT, a self-powered wireless weather sensing system is developed, which can transmit temperature, humidity, air pressure, and light intensity every 11 minutes with a maximum distance of 800 m. The self-powered wireless weather sensing system has potential application at areas such as high altitudes, deserts, and mountains. [Display omitted] •A TENG driven tip-tip electrode air discharge switch (T-TADS) is developed.•The maximum instantaneous power and the output energy of TENG are enhanced by 1600 times and 8 times respectively.•Combined with passive PMC, the energy storage efficiency reaches 58.9 %.•Based on TENG and PMC including a GDT, a self-powered wireless weather sensing system is developed.