Enhanced triboelectric performance of porous nanogenerators via CNT incorporation: Experimental and simulation analysis

This study explores the influence of material porosity and carbon nanotube incorporation on the performance of PDMS-based triboelectric nanogenerators. Results showed that increased porosity significantly boosted output voltage and charge generation due to greater flexibility and enlarged effective contact area, while MWCNT addition enhanced electrical conductivity and charge transfer efficiency. COMSOL Multiphysics® simulations of electrostatic potential distribution and mechanical deformation aligned closely with experimental data, offering insight into the mechanisms behind performance gains. These findings demonstrate that structural design and material modification are key strategies for advancing triboelectric nanogenerators, with applications in wearable electronics, self-powered sensors, and portable energy harvesting. • Influence of material porosity in PDMS-based TENGs performance. • SP-MWCNT incorporation for enhanced electrical conductivity. • Boosted output voltage due to greater flexibility. • Enlarged effective contact area. • Simulations of electrostatic potential distribution and mechanical.