Self-Powered Wind Flow Monitoring Unit Using Lead-Free Composites-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as a promising energy-harvesting technology by converting mechanical energy into electrical power. However, enhancing their output performance remains a key challenge, primarily due to the limitations of triboelectric materials. In this study, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is blended with bismuth sodium titanate (Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3, BNT) to develop high-performance PDMS-BNT composites for TENG applications. Incorporating BNT enhances the dielectric constant of PDMS, leading to an enhanced charge-trapping capability and increased surface charge density. The composite film-based triboelectric nanogenerator operates in a single-electrode mode and demonstrates superior electrical performance. Specifically, the TENG achieves a voltage of 310 V and a current of 3.8 μA at a frequency of 1 Hz. The fabricated TENG generates a power output of 449 μW at a load resistance of 50 MΩ. Additionally, the TENG is capable of powering LEDs and calculator, highlighting its potential as a reliable energy source for low power electronics. Furthermore, the TENG was employed to capture energy from various human movements and used to monitor wind speed under both continuous and intermittent flow conditions, demonstrating its capability to harvest energy from low-frequency vibrations. This advancement paves the way for future applications in wearable electronics, environmental monitoring, and self-powered sensor networks, making it a promising technology for sustainable energy solutions.