Output signals control of triboelectric nanogenerator with metal-dielectric-metal configuration through high resistance grounded systems

Toward a wide range of applications of triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as a power source, it is essential to develop a facile scheme to fabricate TENG with low output impedance by tuning the instantaneous output voltage without decreasing the output power. Here, we report a modified sliding-mode TENG, in which the flow of electrons between the grounded metal and the earth induces electric potential across a multilayered film consisting of dielectric/electrode/dielectric/electrode, confirmed by COMSOL simulation. By introducing a high-resistance grounding method through the ground, the electron flow is slowed down, thereby decreasing the impedance at the maximum output power from 3 MΩ to 0.6 MΩ with an enhanced output power by two-fold, explained in terms of reduced charge loss. The new-type of the device makes the charging speed to a capacitor (1 mF) faster by more than two-fold. Based on this result, the generated output power from the rotating-type TENG is supplied to an electrochemical water-splitting system for hydrogen production. Results demonstrate that the applied voltage required to reach 40 mA/cm2 is decreased to half of the initial voltage.