3D‐Printed Hygroscopic Polymer Networks for High‐Humidity Triboelectric Nanogenerators to Wirelessly Power Implantable Electronic Devices‐ A Conceptual Pathway

ABSTRACT High humidity typically degrades triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) performance by dissipating surface charge. We present a printable strategy that leverages ambient moisture to enhance output by integrating polar hydrophilic networks via liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing. Photocopolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAA) with PEGDA yields micrometre‐thin films rich in ─COOH, ─OH, and ─CONH─ groups. These groups immobilize water molecules through hydrogen bonding, forming a stable interfacial‐polarization tribolayer that resists charge loss. Optimizing the HEAA:PEGDA formulation and incorporating 5 wt.% sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) creates a trimer network with enhanced dipole density, achieving outputs of 45.6 µA, 802 V, and a peak power density of 48.4 W m − 2 at 90% relative humidity. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal water‐enhanced dipole moments and robust bound‐water interactions that strengthen polarization. The photocurable resin enables printing of complex micro‐architectures and flexible wearables, demonstrated in a Morse‐code finger‐sleeve TENG and an insole sensor distinguishing gait patterns. A proof‐of‐concept TENG‐powered backscatter communication system showcases wireless energy transmission, addressing battery replacement challenges in implantable devices.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Functional Materials
Published
2026-04-11
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.75354
Primary Topic
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

3D‐Printed Hygroscopic Polymer Networks for High‐Humidity Triboelectric Nanogenerators to Wirelessly Power Implantable Electronic Devices‐ A Conceptual Pathway

Valentin A. Bobrin, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Deepak Mishra, Qian Chen et al.
Advanced Functional Materials
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
article

3D‐Printed Hygroscopic Polymer Networks for High‐Humidity Triboelectric Nanogenerators to Wirelessly Power Implantable Electronic Devices‐ A Conceptual Pathway

Valentin A. Bobrin, Anthony Chun Yin Yuen, Deepak Mishra, Qian Chen, Y.X. Zhang, Jiawang Zeng, Linguangze Zhuo, Cyrille Boyer
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT High humidity typically degrades triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) performance by dissipating surface charge. We present a printable strategy that leverages ambient moisture to enhance output by integrating polar hydrophilic networks via liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing. Photocopolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA), and N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide (HEAA) with PEGDA yields micrometre‐thin films rich in ─COOH, ─OH, and ─CONH─ groups. These groups immobilize water molecules through hydrogen bonding, forming a stable interfacial‐polarization tribolayer that resists charge loss. Optimizing the HEAA:PEGDA formulation and incorporating 5 wt.% sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) creates a trimer network with enhanced dipole density, achieving outputs of 45.6 µA, 802 V, and a peak power density of 48.4 W m − 2 at 90% relative humidity. Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal water‐enhanced dipole moments and robust bound‐water interactions that strengthen polarization. The photocurable resin enables printing of complex micro‐architectures and flexible wearables, demonstrated in a Morse‐code finger‐sleeve TENG and an insole sensor distinguishing gait patterns. A proof‐of‐concept TENG‐powered backscatter communication system showcases wireless energy transmission, addressing battery replacement challenges in implantable devices.

Advanced Functional Materials
University of Technology Sydney (AU), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HK), The University of Queensland (AU), City University of Hong Kong (HK), UNSW Sydney (AU)
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
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