Enhanced Energy Harvesting Performance of Biodegradable Polylactic Acid/3D Anodic Aluminum Oxide Composite Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract The global energy demand and proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices necessitate sustainable and cost‐effective energy solutions. This study presents biodegradable 3D‐nanoengineered polylactic acid (PLA) composites achieving 108 µW cm − 2 power density—the highest for biodegradable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and 1.5–7.5x superior to cellulose‐based systems. Leveraging a non‐biodegradable anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) framework to template a fully biodegradable PLA network, the devices deliver 20 V cm − 2 output voltage with enhanced permittivity ( ɛ eff = 5.11), enabling direct IoT applications without energy storage buffers. While the Three‐dimensional porous anodic aluminum oxide (3D‐AAO) framework is not biodegradable, it provides critical advantages including prevention of nanoparticle agglomeration—a significant limitation in nanoparticle‐loaded polymer films—and ensures electrode durability and longevity, thereby reducing replacement frequency and associated waste generation. The PLA matrix offers biodegradability, while the AAO component contributes biocompatibility and exceptional mechanical properties. This work demonstrates how strategic 3D nanostructuring can achieve high‐performance metrics while maintaining biodegradability options through pure biodegradable Three‐dimensional PLA nanonetworks (3D‐PLA NN) or biocompatible 3D‐PLA NN/3D‐AAO composites. This value enables IoT‐ready self‐powered systems with improved environmental profiles through strategic material selection and architectural design. The 3D‐AAO templating approach not only enhances energy conversion efficiency and structural integrity but also aligns with global sustainability goals through optimized material utilization and extended device lifespans.