This study explores how the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators can be enhanced by incorporating Fe3O4 nanoparticles into nylon films using a spray coating technique. Five triboelectric nanogenerator prototypes were created: one with regular nylon and four with nylon/Fe3O4 nanocomposites featuring varying nanoparticle densities. The electrical output, measured by open‐circuit voltage and short‐circuit current, showed significant improvements in the nanocomposite‐based triboelectric nanogenerators compared to the nylon‐only triboelectric nanogenerator. When a weak magnetic field was applied during nanocomposite preparation, the maximum voltage and current reached 56.3 V and 4.62 μA, respectively. Further analysis revealed that the magnetic field during the drying process aligned the magnetic domains, boosting output efficiency. These findings demonstrate the potential of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to enhance electrostatic and magnetic interactions in triboelectric nanogenerators, leading to improved energy‐harvesting performance. This approach presents a promising strategy for developing high‐performance triboelectric nanogenerators for sustainable energy and sensor applications.
In this study, porous polysiloxane (PS)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite films were developed as high-performance triboelectric layers for flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). TENGs convert mechanical motion into electricity and offer a promising solution for self-powered electronic systems. The nanocomposites were fabricated using a doctor blading method, and porosity was introduced via a simple, scalable salt-leaching technique. Sieved salt particles of varying sizes produced films with fine, medium, and large pores. Raman spectroscopy confirmed uniform MWCNT dispersion and strong interfacial interaction within the PS matrix. SEM analysis verified controlled pore morphology. Dielectric measurements showed reduced permittivity with increasing pore size due to air void incorporation. Triboelectric performance improved significantly with porosity; the medium porosity sample exhibited the best output with an open-circuit voltage of 65 V, short-circuit current of 6.9 μA, and a power density of 280.6 mW m−2. This enhancement is attributed to the optimized combination of surface roughness, contact area, and dielectric behavior, promoting efficient charge generation and transfer. These results highlight the potential of microstructural engineering in porous nanocomposites for next-generation energy harvesting applications.
8 August 2025 in Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Engineering
This study explores the optimization of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) concentration in nylon-based nanocomposites to enhance the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Nylon/MWCNT nanocomposite films were fabricated using the spin-coating method, and their electrical output was systematically evaluated as a function of MWCNT concentration. Results show that the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Isc) increase with MWCNT loading up to 0.05 wt%, reaching a peak of 29.7 V and 3.0 μA, respectively, compared to 17.5 V and 1.8 μA for pristine nylon-based TENGs. However, a decline in output was observed at 0.1 wt% due to MWCNT agglomeration, which disrupts charge transfer and introduces charge leakage. The enhancement at optimal concentration is attributed to improved charge trapping and increased dielectric constant, while excessive CNT loading reduces the effective contact area and limits triboelectric charge generation. These findings underscore the crucial role of nanomaterial dispersion in optimizing TENG performance and offer valuable insights for the development of high-efficiency triboelectric energy harvesting systems.
This study investigates the optimization of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) concentration in polysiloxane-based nanocomposites to enhance the performance of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Flexible nanocomposite films were fabricated using the doctor blading method, and their triboelectric output was systematically evaluated as a function of MWCNT loading. The results reveal that incorporating MWCNTs significantly improves the electrical performance of the TENG, with the open-circuit voltage (Voc) and short-circuit current (Isc) increasing to 51 V and 5.7 μA, respectively, at an optimal concentration of 0.05 wt %, compared to 32 V and 3.3 μA for pristine polysiloxane films. However, further increasing the CNT content to 0.1 wt % led to a notable decline in output, attributed to nanoparticle agglomeration, which hinders effective charge transfer and promotes charge leakage. These findings underscore the crucial role of nanofiller dispersion and concentration control in the development of high-performance TENGs. This work provides valuable insights into the development of flexible, nanocomposite-based energy harvesting systems with enhanced output efficiency for wearable and portable electronic applications.
This work reports the fabrication and optimization of nylon/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposite-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) using a spin coating method. By carefully tuning the MWCNT concentration, the device achieved a substantial enhancement in electrical output, with open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current peaking at 29.7 V and 3.0 μA, respectively, at 0.05 wt% MWCNT loading on the surface of nylon. The corresponding power density reached approximately 13.9 mW/m2, representing a significant improvement over pure nylon-based TENGs. The enhanced performance is attributed to improved charge trapping and dielectric properties due to well-dispersed MWCNTs on the surface of nylon, while excessive loading caused agglomeration, reducing efficiency. This lightweight, flexible nanocomposite TENG offers a promising solution for efficient, sustainable energy harvesting in wearable electronics and self-powered sensor systems, highlighting its potential for practical energy applications.