Surface-Modified Chitin Nanocrystals with Poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) for Liquid-Electrode Triboelectric Nanogenerators

With the rapid advancement of wearable electronics and flexible sensing technologies, the development of high-performance, self-powered flexible sensor systems has become a critical research area. In this work, a liquid-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) enabled by surface-modified chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is reported. Through in situ oxidative polymerization, PEDOT forms a conformal coating on the surface of ChNCs, generating strong interfacial interactions that significantly enhance aqueous dispersibility, mechanical adaptability, and charge transport within the liquid-electrode. The PEDOT modified ChNCs was integrated into an Ecoflex elastomer, and the TENG device delivers a high output voltage of 268.3 V and a power density of 1645.7 mW·m–2, while maintaining stable performance under stretching, twisting, and repeated deformation. The rapid and robust mechano-electrical response enables real-time, self-powered monitoring of multiple human joint motions. Furthermore, introducing glycerol into the system imparts excellent antifreezing capability, allowing the liquid-electrode to remain functional down to −20 °C. This work establishes an sustainable materials strategy for engineering flexible, low-temperature-resistant, and high-output liquid-electrode TENG devices, expanding their potential for wearable and environmental sensing applications.