Green surface-engineered bio-acrylate architectures for high-efficiency triboelectric energy harvesting

Abstract

Synthetic polymers have been widely investigated due to their diverse triboelectric properties and strong ability to accumulate high surface charge densities. However, the development of bio-derived triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) has been constrained by the limited availability of biopolymer pairs with sufficiently contrasting triboelectric behaviors. As a result, the performance of biopolymer-based TENGs generally remains an order of magnitude lower than that of systems constructed from synthetic materials. In this work, we propose an approach to overcome this challenge by tailoring the triboelectric characteristics of UV-crosslinked, vegetable-oil-derived polymers. By employing simple formulation modifications combined with engineered surface microstructures, we realize a marked improvement in triboelectric output—achieving a power density of 65 mW m⁻² and a 25-fold increase in voltage generation up to 250 V, relative to materials possessing comparable mechanical and interfacial properties. Furthermore, the resulting polymers demonstrate controlled degradability via alkaline hydrolysis, ensuring an environmentally responsible disposal pathway. This scalable and sustainable materials strategy not only enhances the performance of degradable TENGs but also expands their applicability in eco-conscious energy harvesting, representing a meaningful advancement toward sustainable energy technologies.