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Triboelectric nanogenerators: providing a fundamental framework

R. D. I. G. Dharmasena,a  K. D. G. I. Jayawardena,a  C. A. Mills,ab  J. H. B. Deane,c  J. V. Anguita,a  R. A. Doreyd  and  S. R. P. Silva*a 
Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

a Advanced Technology Institute, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
E-mail: s.silva@surrey.ac.uk

b Advanced Coatings Group, Tata Steel Research Development and Technology, Voyager Building 9, Sir William Lyon Road, Coventry CV4 7EZ, UK

c Department of Mathematics, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

d Centre for Engineering Materials, Mechanical Engineering Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

Abstract

A new model which comprehensively explains the working principles of contact-mode triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) based on Maxwell's equations is presented. Unlike previous models which are restricted to known simple geometries and derived using the parallel plate capacitor model, this model is generic and can be modified to a wide range of geometries and surface topographies. We introduce the concept of a distance-dependent electric field, a factor not taken into account in previous models, to calculate the current, voltage, charge, and power output under different experimental conditions. The versatility of the model is demonstrated for non-planar geometry consisting of a convex–concave surface. The theoretical results show excellent agreement with experimental TENGs. Our model provides a complete understanding of the working principles of TENGs, and accurately predicts the output trends, which enables the design of more efficient TENG structures.

Graphical abstract: Triboelectric nanogenerators: providing a fundamental framework

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Publication details

The article was received on 26 Apr 2017, accepted on 03 Jul 2017 and first published on 13 Jul 2017


Article type: Paper
DOI: 10.1039/C7EE01139C
Citation: Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, Advance Article
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    Triboelectric nanogenerators: providing a fundamental framework

    R. D. I. G. Dharmasena, K. D. G. I. Jayawardena, C. A. Mills, J. H. B. Deane, J. V. Anguita, R. A. Dorey and S. R. P. Silva, Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/C7EE01139C

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