Self-Powered Sucrose Detection Using a Superhydrophobic Liquid–Solid Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Abstract

With the advancement of intelligent industrial systems, real-time monitoring of sucrose levels has become essential, driving a growing demand for autonomous and sustainable power sources. In this context, a liquid-solid triboelectric nanogenerator (L-S TENG) is developed, utilizing DI water/ DI water with sucrose solution as the active liquid medium for simultaneous energy harvesting and concentration sensing. The device is designed with a hydrophobic Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface acting as the solid triboelectric layer, enabling repeated charge transfer during droplet contact and separation. Variations in sucrose concentration significantly influence the charge density and output voltage, allowing the system to function as both an energy harvester and a biochemical sensor. The L-S TENG exhibits a maximum voltage of -37 V and a current of 52 nA, demonstrating strong energy conversion from droplet kinetic energy to electrical energy. This work introduces a triboelectric-based probe for detecting sucrose concentration, revealing that sucrose disrupts the native hydrogen-bond structure of water, forming sucrose-water interactions that alter solution flow behaviour and conductivity. This approach offers a strategy for monitoring sucrose content via triboelectric signals, providing a sustainable, self-powered sensing platform for smart industrial applications.