Introduction\nof Triboelectric Positive Bioplastic\nfor Powering Portable Electronics and Self-Powered Gait Sensor

Abstract

Triboelectric\nnanogenerators (TENGs) are in the center of alternative\nenergy scavenger technologies because of numerous possible applications\nin remote energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. Although there\nexists a large number of triboelectric negative polymers, the choice\nof triboelectric positive polymers is indeed limited. Here we report\nfor the first time the use of thermoplastic starch (TPS) as a triboelectric\npositive material for designing TENGs. Our bioplastic-based highly\ndurable TENG (b-TENG) can generate open-circuit peak-to-peak output\nvoltage of ∼560 V with output current density of ∼120\nmA m^–2 and instantaneous output power density of\n17 W m^–2. We demonstrate b-TENG as a portable power\nsource by powering more than 100 commercial blue LEDs, LED strips,\nand seven segment LCD screens. Additionally, the b-TENG can be used\nas a self-powered pedometer for step counter, a speedometer for human\nwalking and running, and a human gait analysis sensor to assess physical\nactivity breeding its futuristic biomedical applications for healthcare\npurposes. The introduction of eco-friendly bioplastic TPS as a triboelectric\npositive component has great potential for biomedical applications\nbecause of the abundance, biodegradability, low cost, and ease in\nfabrication process.