Piezoelectricity

Physics

Nanotechnology

Electrode

Nanogenerator

Work (physics)

Membrane

Energy harvesting

Mechanical energy

Electrostatics

Engineering

Physical chemistry

Composite material

Power (physics)

Electrostatic induction

Chemistry

Materials science

Quantum mechanics

Contact electrification

Optoelectronics

Biochemistry

Mechanical engineering

Triboelectric effect

Nature Communications

Triboelectric nanogenerators are an energy harvesting technology that relies on the coupling effects of contact electrification and electrostatic induction between two solids or a liquid and a solid. Here, we present a triboelectric nanogenerator that can work based on the interaction between two pure liquids. A liquid-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator is achieved by passing a liquid droplet through a freely suspended liquid membrane. We investigate two kinds of liquid membranes: a grounded membrane and a pre-charged membrane. The falling of a droplet (about 40 μL) can generate a peak power of 137.4 nW by passing through a pre-charged membrane. Moreover, this membrane electrode can also remove and collect electrostatic charges from solid objects, indicating a permeable sensor or charge filter for electronic applications. The liquid-liquid triboelectric nanogenerator can harvest mechanical energy without changing the object motion and it can work for many targets, including raindrops, irrigation currents, microfluidics, and tiny particles.

Power generation from the interaction of a liquid droplet and a liquid membrane