Triboelectric generator using mesoporous polydimethylsiloxane and gold layer

This paper presents a triboelectric generator using mesoporous (PDMS)
polydimethylsiloxane and gold layer which was demonstrated in energy
harvesting applications. The performance of power generation by the means
of triboelectric principle at a small dimension, namely triboelectric generator
is characterized. In this paper, triboelectric generator device adapted vertical
contact-separation operation mode, whereby the device derives power
generation based on contact electrification caused by cyclic tapping motion.
Being primarily a two-layer structure, this device comprises a top layer of
aluminum (Al) electrode coated with mesoporous polydimethylsiloxane
(PDMS) film and another bottom layer of Al electrode coated with gold (Au)
deposit. The characterization of this device is done by varying frequencies
and cyclic compression force applied to triboelectric generator. The optimal
performance of the 2 cm x 2 cm triboelectric generator contact surface area
generated an open-circuit voltage of 4.4 V and a current of 0.1 μA at 5 Hz
frequency. This research and device can be improved by magnifying
the effective surface area of triboelectric generator to generate significant
power for small base area.