Constructing gradient triboelectric charge to enhance power output for elastic-materials-based TENGs

Elastic-materials-based triboelectric nanogenerators (EMB-TENGs) play a significant role in advancing the high-entropy energy harvesting and self-powered system, which increasing the power output is one of the most important fields for practical application. Here, we develop a polydimethylsiloxane-based triboelectric materials with high charge density by gradient-constructing strategy. Based on the materials of EMB-TENG is capable of outputting a power density of 2.48 W⋅m−3 under an external load resistance of 80 MΩ, which is increasing by 39.94 % and 23.19 % compared with pure and uniform-constructing, respectively. The coefficient of determination (R2) reaching up to 0.998 in the pressure range of 10 N to 40 N, and 0.943 in the pressure range of 40 N to 60 N. Additionally, resulting in the development of a self-powered sensing system and gaining the ability of real-time acquisition and calculation. This work has a comprising prospect of application in many areas including the development of novel triboelectric materials, theoretical research, energy harvesting and sensing.