High-Performance and Low-Cost Overhead Projector Sheet-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Cholesteric Liquid Crystal, Electroluminescence, and Portable Electronic Devices

Abstract

Lowoutput power, intricatedevicedesigns, limitationon scalability, limitedproductioncapability,andhigherfabricationcostarethe major hurdles touse triboelectricnanogenerators (TENGs) as apower source in self-powered device applications. This work reports a high performance, simple design, and inexpensive TENG using overhead projector (OHP) sheets andZnOnanosheet arrayfilms.The fabricated TENGproducedamaximumoutputvoltage,current,andpowerdensityof ∼292V, ∼55μA, and∼424.8mW/m2 for each hand slapping force, respectively. The charged nature of one side of the OHP sheet is responsible for obtaining the high-power density reported in this communication. Further, theTENGhas shownexcellent stabilityover a periodof6monthsandmorethan10,000testcycles.ThestabilityofZnO nanosheets isexcellenteventheafter10,000testcycles.TheTENG’sAC output isutilized tocontrol theoptical characteristicsof thecholesteric liquidcrystal(CLC)devices.CLCdevicesaredemonstratedformobilesecurity,optical switch,webcamsecurity,andself-powered smart windows or e-paper displays. Further, we have demonstrated self-powered electroluminescence andportable electronic devices.Thecurrentworkhaspotentialapplicationsinportable,wearable,andself-poweredelectronicdevicesduetoitshighpower density, simpledesign,minimal cost, andscalability.