Constructing high output performance triboelectric nanogenerator via V-shape stack and self-charge excitation

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has proved an effective ambient mechanical energy collection and conversion technology for power supply to distributed sensors in internet of things. Rational stack of TENG units is a way to enhance its output performance in a limited space. However, the output does not linearly increase with the number of stack units due to narrow working gaps and low contact electrification ability of materials. It is still a great challenge to obtain a high output performance TENG by stacking units. Herein, a V-shape multiple stacking TENG (V-TENG) is proposed, which largely increases effective contact area and improves space utilization. A self-charge excitation circuit and a Zener diode are used to enhance its output performance and maintain output stability. The peak power of the V-TENG with self-charge excitation (VSE-TENG) reaches to 3.96 mW, which increases by more than 22 times compared with that without excitation. Furthermore, the V-TENG with power management can collect water flow energy and serve as a portable power supply for powering LEDs, a temperature and humidity sensor, and a calculator. This work provides a new strategy for boosting TENG output performance in a fixed device space.