Regenerated cellulose TENG with colour printed surface for increased performance

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are ideal to meet the increasing need for green and efficient energy solutions, e.g., in small wireless and/or wearable applications. Regenerated cellulose is an exemplary material regarding both power output and mechanical performance, and it is environmentally friendly and economically favourable. To further improve the triboelectric performance of the cellulose, colour printing was done on the surface with conventional laser printing. Printer toners commonly contain substances with different triboelectric properties. [1] In this work, cellulose fibres were dissolved using a LiOH/urea solvent and regenerated in an ethanol bath and eventually dried under controlled conditions. Thereafter the resulting transparent cellulose films were run through a conventional laser paper printer to apply toners of different colour and patterns on the surface. Cyan, magenta, yellow and black was printed in one layer. In addition, black was printed in certain patterns from low to high coverage and in several layers to evaluate the effect of applied amount. The samples were analysed using SEM, AFM, XRD, FTIR and a TENG was assembled in the contact-separation mode to investigate the triboelectric performance. The printed cellulose films were found to give enhanced triboelectric output. The results show an interesting and simple processing route to enhance the performance of cellulose- based TENG materials that can be useful in the development of cheap and sustainable small wireless electrical generators or sensors. [1] Zhang, R.; Hummelgård, M.; Örtegren, J.; Andersson, H.; Olsen, M.; Chen, W.; Wang, P.; Eivazi, A.; Dahlström, C.; Norgren, M., Adv. Engin. Mater., 2023, in press, https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202300107