Humidity‐Resistant Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Utilizing a Bound‐Water‐Rich Zwitterionic Hydrogel With Microphase‐Separated Domains

Abstract Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent an effective approach for transforming mechanical energy into electrical power, making them suitable for wearable electronic applications. Hydrogels as TENGs electrodes are common, but their use as direct triboelectric layers remains insufficiently explored. Here, a novel zwitterionic monomer 3‐{1‐[6‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐methyl‐3,8‐dioxo‐9‐aza‐4,7‐dioxadodec‐1‐en‐12‐yl]imidazol‐3‐ium‐3‐yl}propane‐1‐sulfonate (VNIPS) is synthesized in combination with acrylic acid (AA) and zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) to create a double‐network zwitterionic hydrogel. The hydrogel is developed using a solvent‐exchange process that facilitated the creation of microphase‐separated domains, notablely increasing its mechanical strength (211.9 kPa, 472.3%), conductivity (0.6 mS cm −1 ), and anti‐freezing capability (−18.3 °C). In addition, the hydrogel's hydrophilic groups interacted with water molecules, reducing charge loss in humid conditions. When employed as the triboelectric positive layer, the hydrogel‐based TENGs achieved a substantial charge density of 456 µC m − 2 and an output power density of 464 mW m − 2 , while maintaining a steady open‐circuit voltage (V oc ) of 97 V, with 92% retention under 80% relative humidity. Moreover, the hydrogel's strong adhesion and biocompatibility make it suitable for wearable applications, such as motion sensing and Morse code communication. This work demonstrates the feasibility of zwitterionic hydrogels as triboelectric materials, providing a new strategy for creating efficient, humidity‐resistant energy harvesters.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2024-12-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202421164
Citations
34
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
6.27

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article

Humidity‐Resistant Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Utilizing a Bound‐Water‐Rich Zwitterionic Hydrogel With Microphase‐Separated Domains

Hongxin Guo, Mi Ouyang, Ge Meng, Tairong Kuang et al.
34 citations
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
6.27
article

Humidity‐Resistant Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Utilizing a Bound‐Water‐Rich Zwitterionic Hydrogel With Microphase‐Separated Domains

Hongxin Guo, Mi Ouyang, Ge Meng, Tairong Kuang, Feng Chen, Yutong Ding
article en
34 citations

Abstract

Abstract Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent an effective approach for transforming mechanical energy into electrical power, making them suitable for wearable electronic applications. Hydrogels as TENGs electrodes are common, but their use as direct triboelectric layers remains insufficiently explored. Here, a novel zwitterionic monomer 3‐{1‐[6‐(hydroxymethyl)‐2‐methyl‐3,8‐dioxo‐9‐aza‐4,7‐dioxadodec‐1‐en‐12‐yl]imidazol‐3‐ium‐3‐yl}propane‐1‐sulfonate (VNIPS) is synthesized in combination with acrylic acid (AA) and zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) to create a double‐network zwitterionic hydrogel. The hydrogel is developed using a solvent‐exchange process that facilitated the creation of microphase‐separated domains, notablely increasing its mechanical strength (211.9 kPa, 472.3%), conductivity (0.6 mS cm −1 ), and anti‐freezing capability (−18.3 °C). In addition, the hydrogel's hydrophilic groups interacted with water molecules, reducing charge loss in humid conditions. When employed as the triboelectric positive layer, the hydrogel‐based TENGs achieved a substantial charge density of 456 µC m − 2 and an output power density of 464 mW m − 2 , while maintaining a steady open‐circuit voltage (V oc ) of 97 V, with 92% retention under 80% relative humidity. Moreover, the hydrogel's strong adhesion and biocompatibility make it suitable for wearable applications, such as motion sensing and Morse code communication. This work demonstrates the feasibility of zwitterionic hydrogels as triboelectric materials, providing a new strategy for creating efficient, humidity‐resistant energy harvesters.

Advanced Functional MaterialsVol. 35(19)
Wenzhou University (CN), Zhejiang University of Technology (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 2%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
6.27
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