Polysaccharide-Enriched Natural Gum Based Polymer Biocomposites as Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Enhanced Power Generation

The utilization of plant derived gum materials has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance the performance and sustainability of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). In this study, a biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix was blended with natural gums (NGs) like almond gum (AG) and guar gum (GG) to fabricate NG@PVA based TENGs for efficient mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion. The incorporation of these NGs significantly improved the triboelectric output, with AG@PVA and GG@PVA TENGs exhibiting a 6 times higher voltage and 28 times higher current compared to pristine PVA-based TENGs. Notably, the GG@PVA TENG achieved a maximum output power of 657 W/m2. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including SEM, AFM, EDAX, and FTIR, were employed to analyze the surface morphology, elemental distribution, and chemical interactions within the composites. Electrical performance and long-term operational stability of the fabricated TENGs were also systematically evaluated. The harvested energy from the NG@PVA TENG was successfully used to charge commercial capacitors, run a digital timer, and power up to 100 LEDs, demonstrating its practical applicability. Furthermore, the TENG was integrated into a self-powered sensor platform capable of real-time animal monitoring, specifically for tracking and counting cattle entering a farm. This research highlights the potential of combining eco-friendly natural gum materials with TENG technology to develop cost-effective, high-performance, and environmentally sustainable energy harvesting and sensing systems.