Triboelectric nanogenerators possess the capability to convert low-frequency mechanical energy into electrical energy, thereby attracting significant attention due to their reliable performance, light weight nature, and simplistic structure. These attributes render them highly promising for wearable and self-driven electronic devices. In this study, a novel approach is proposed to optimize the surface structure and fabricate micro-capacitors, thereby optimizing the output of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based triboelectric nanogenerators. By introducing conductive filler Ag nanowires (Ag NWs), the rapid formation of microcapacitive within PDMS films is facilitated. The utilization of sandpaper expedites the generation of microstructures on the PDMS surface, thereby amplifying the effective contact area. In the optimal scenario, a remarkable open-circuit voltage of 33.6 V and a short-circuit current of 4.5 μA were achieved under a mechanical force of 53.57 kPa, corresponding to an instantaneous peak power density of 162.01 mW m⁻². The system exhibited exceptional stability throughout 2500 cyclic tests and effectively charged the capacitors to power a predetermined schedule, illuminating up to 20 LEDs. Moreover, the PDMS film demonstrated excellent flexibility and the ability to detect motion in various parts of the human body (including the hands, feet, and knees), thereby harnessing mechanical energy. This research presents a viable approach to enhance the triboelectric properties of PDMS, while also enabling large-scale production, thereby facilitating the widespread application of energy harvesting and sensing technologies.

With triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) increasingly being used as touch sensors, their recognition accuracy is critical for the practical application of TENG devices. Here, we propose a method to prepare polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) films with nano-array structures on the surface using an anodised aluminium oxide (AAO) template to assemble a TENG device with a high static contact angle. The method can improve the TENG output effect and enhance the accuracy of material recognition. The prepared nano-array structures (na-PDMS) are a series of cylinders with a radius of 150 nm and a height of 500 nm. The results show that the N-TENG device assembled from na-PDMS produced strain in the nano-array layer of na-PDMS at an applied stress of 0.89–19.50 kPa; when the applied stress of 19.50–134.52 kPa exceeded the tolerance range of the nano-array layer of na-PDMS, the non-nano-array structured layer of na-PDMS produced strain. Furthermore, under the test conditions of 14.95 kPa, the maximum power density of the N-TENG was 3.96 mW m⁻² when the load resistance was 4 MΩ. In addition, the feature signals generated when the N-TENG was in contact with the material/separated from the material were combined with the CNN deep learning technique. The following could be observed: the fabricated N-TENG device could recognise eight different materials with 97.7% certainty, which is better than the conventional S-TENG device. Overall, the method proposed in this paper provides a feasible way to improve the triboelectric properties of TENGs and sheds light on the surface structure design of triboelectric materials.

It is of great significance for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials to fulfill long-lasting service requirements. Here, waterborne polyurethane (WPU) was coated on the surface of a silver nanowire (AgNW) network with sputter-deposited nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) by dip-coating technology to improve their durability. After five dip-coating cycles, a WPU layer nearly coated the whole surface of the hybrid papers, and only a fraction of the metal filler is bare. The resultant hybrid papers exhibit an electrical conductivity of ∼3500 S m⁻¹, remnant magnetization of 0.03 emu g⁻¹, saturation magnetization of 0.10 emu g⁻¹, and coercivity of 256 Oe. On the one hand, the presence of the WPU coating does not affect the shielding effectiveness (SE) of the hybrid papers; on the other hand, the WPU coating enhances the ability to resist tape peeling. Moreover, the resultant hybrid papers still maintain the original SE value (∼80 dB), even after exposure to air for 5 months owing to the isolation effect of the WPU coating, implying long-lasting durability. The results confirm that the obtained hybrid papers can meet the requirements of practical applications.