Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Triboelectric Nanogenerator: Single-Electrode Mode

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

Abstract

The two modes presented in Chap. 2 and 3 require that the two electrodes must be interconnected. In practice, if one part of the contact media is a freely moving object, such as a moving vehicle or a walking person, there is no way to connect a lead to the vehicle or the person. To meet this challenge, two new modes have been introduced to overcome this drawback: including single-electrode TENGs (SETENGs) (Yang et al. Adv Mater 25(45): 6594–6601 2013 [1]) and freestanding-triboelectric-layer nanogenerators (FTENGs) . In this chapter, we will mainly discuss the single-electrode TENGs. Single-electrode TENGs have similar working mechanism of contact electrification. However, in this structure, only one electrode is attached to (or serves as) the triboelectric layer. The other electrode serves as an electric potential reference and can be placed anywhere in the space, even directly be the ground. In this regard, the moving part of the TENG is not connected with any electrode, which substantially simplifies the device fabrication process and improves the operation convenience. On the other hand, a major drawback is that the overall output performance will be lower due to the electrostatic shield effect of the primary electrode, but it is a good approach for touch sensors. The theory, working mechanism and the potential applications of this mode will be systematically introduced.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Y. Yang, Y.S. Zhou, H. Zhang, Y. Liu, S. Lee, Z.L. Wang, A single-electrode based triboelectric nanogenerator as self-powered tracking system. Adv. Mater. 25(45), 6594–6601 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. S.M. Niu, Y. Liu, S.H. Wang, L. Lin, Y.S. Zhou, Y.F. Hu, Z.L. Wang, Theoretical investigation and structural optimization of single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerators. Adv. Funct. Mater. 24(22), 3332–3340 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Y. Li, Y.H. Li, Q.X. Li, Y.Y. Zi, Computation of electrostatic forces with edge effects for non-parallel comb-actuators. J. Tsinghua Univ. (Sci. & Tech.) 43(8), 1024–1026 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  4. B. Meng, W. Tang, Z.-H. Too, X. Zhang, M. Han, W. Liu, H. Zhang, A transparent single-friction-surface triboelectric generator and self-powered touch sensor. Energy Environ. Sci. 6, 3235–3240 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Y. Yang, H. Zhang, J. Chen, Q. Jing, Y.S. Zhou, X. Wen, Z.L. Wang, Single-electrode-based sliding triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered displacement vector sensor system. ACS Nano 7(8), 7342–7351 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Y. Yang, G. Zhu, H. Zhang, J. Chen, X. Zhong, Z.-H. Lin, Y. Su, P. Bai, X. Wen, Z.L. Wang, Triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting wind energy and as self-powered wind vector sensor system. ACS Nano 7(10), 9461–9468 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. H. Zhang, Y. Yang, X. Zhong, Y. Su, Y. Zhou, C. Hu, Z.L. Wang, Single-electrode-based rotating triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting energy from tires. ACS Nano 8(1), 680–689 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Q. Liang, X. Yan, Y. Gu, K. Zhang, M. Liang, S. Lu, X. Zheng, Y. Zhang, Highly transparent triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting water-related energy reinforced by antireflection coating. Sci. Rep. 5, 9080 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Q. Zhong, J. Zhong, B. Hu, Q. Hu, J. Zhou, Z.L. Wang, A paper-based nanogenerator as a power source and active sensor. Energy Environ. Sci. 6, 1779–1784 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Y. Yang, H. Zhang, Z.-H. Lin, Y.S. Zhou, Q. Jing, Y. Su, J. Yang, J. Chen, C. Hu, Z.L. Wang, Human skin based triboelectric nanogenerators for harvesting biomechanical energy and as self-powered active tactile sensor system. ACS Nano 7(10), 9213–9222 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. G. Zhu, W. Yang, T. Zhang, Q. Jing, J. Chen, Y.S. Zhou, P. Bai, Z.L. Wang, Self-powered, ultrasensitive, flexible tactile sensors based on contact electrification. Nano Lett. 14(6), 3208–3213 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. F. Yi, L. Lin, S. Niu, J. Yang, W. Wu, S. Wang, Q. Liao, Y. Zhang, Z.L. Wang, Self-powered trajectory, velocity, and acceleration tracking of a moving object/body using a triboelectric sensor. Adv. Funct. Mater. 24(47), 7488–7494 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Y. Su, G. Zhu, W. Yang, J. Yang, J. Chen, Q. Jing, Z. Wu, Y. Jiang, Z.L. Wang, Triboelectric sensor for self-powered tracking of object motion inside tubing. ACS Nano 8(4), 3843–3850 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Y. Wu, Q. Jing, J. Chen, P. Bai, J. Bai, G. Zhu, Y. Su, Z.L. Wang, A self-powered angle measurement sensor based on triboelectric nanogenerator. Adv. Funct. Mater. 25(14), 2166–2174 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. H. Zhang, Y. Yang, Y. Su, J. Chen, K. Adams, S. Lee, C. Hu, Z.L. Wang, Triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting vibration energy in full space and as self-powered acceleration sensor. Adv. Funct. Mater. 24(10), 1401–1407 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. H. Zhang, Y. Yang, T.-C. Hou, Y. Su, C. Hu, Z.L. Wang, Triboelectric nanogenerator built inside clothes for self-powered glucose biosensors. Nano Energy 2(5), 1019–1024 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. H. Zhang, Y. Yang, Y. Su, J. Chen, C. Hu, Z. Wu, Y. Liu, C.P. Wong, Y. Bando, Z.L. Wang, Triboelectric nanogenerator as self-powered active sensors for detecting liquid/gaseous water/ethanol. Nano Energy 2(5), 693–701 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. P.-K. Yang, Z.-H. Lin, K.C. Pradel, L. Lin, X. Li, X. Wen, J.-H. He, Z.L. Wang, Paper-based origami triboelectric nanogenerators and self-powered pressure sensors. ACS Nano 9(1), 901–907 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. P. Bai, G. Zhu, Q. Jing, J. Yang, J. Chen, Y. Su, J. Ma, G. Zhang, Z.L. Wang, Membrane based self-powered triboelectric sensors for pressure change detection and its uses in security surveillance and healthcare monitoring. Adv. Funct. Mater. 24(37), 5807–5813 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. F. Yi, L. Lin, S. Niu, P.-K. Yang, Z. Wang, J. Chen, Y. Zhou, Y. Zi, J. Wang, Q. Liao, Y. Zhang, Z.L. Wang, Stretchable rubber based triboelectric nanogenerator and its application as self-powered body motion sensors. Adv. Funct. Mater. 25(24), 3688–3696 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. W. Yang, J. Chen, X. Wen, Q. Jing, J. Yang, Y. Su, G. Zhu, W. Wu, Z.L. Wang, Triboelectrification based motion sensor for human-machine interfacing. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 6(10), 7479–7484 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. P. Bai, G. Zhu, Q. Jing, Y. Wu, J. Yang, J. Chen, J. Ma, G. Zhang, Z.L. Wang, Transparent and flexible barcode based on sliding electrification for self-powered identification systems. Nano Energy 12, 278–286 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Y. Su, X. Wen, G. Zhu, J. Yang, J. Chen, P. Bai, Z. Wu, Y. Jiang, Z.L. Wang, Hybrid triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting water wave energy and as a self-powered distress signal emitter. Nano Energy 9, 186–195 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Zhong Lin Wang, Long Lin, Jun Chen, Simiao Niu & Yunlong Zi

  2. National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

    Zhong Lin Wang

Authors
  1. Zhong Lin Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Long Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jun Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Simiao Niu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yunlong Zi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhong Lin Wang .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Wang, Z.L., Lin, L., Chen, J., Niu, S., Zi, Y. (2016). Triboelectric Nanogenerator: Single-Electrode Mode. In: Triboelectric Nanogenerators. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40039-6_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40039-6_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40038-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40039-6

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation