Completely degradable bilayer functional-ionic wood heterostructure-derived nanogenerator for eco-friendly power generation

Abstract

The escalating global energy demand and environmental concerns underscore the urgent need for sustainable and eco-friendly energy technologies. Degradable nanogenerators have emerged as promising candidates for powering transient and green electronic systems. However, achieving high-performance energy harvesting in degradable materials remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a bilayer functionalized ionic wood heterostructure-derived triboelectric nanogenerator (BFW-NG) that combines superior energy harvesting performance with full biodegradability. The outstanding performance originates from the non-centrosymmetric crystalline cellulose framework within the functionalized wood, which induces a permanent dipole moment, further amplified by the synergistic interaction between oppositely functionalized cellulose domains. The BFW-NG delivers a stable output voltage of 155 V and a power density of 202.38 μW cm⁻² under standard conditions and completely degrades in soil. Furthermore, the BFW-NG efficiently powers various commercial electronic devices, demonstrating its strong potential for sustainable and practical energy applications. This unique integration of high energy output, structural durability, and degradability establishes the BFW-NG as a significant advancement toward next-generation sustainable energy harvesters, pushing the boundaries of degradable electronic devices.