Triboelectric Nanogenerator: Lateral Sliding Mode

Abstract

In this chapter, we introduce the second fundamental working mode of TENG, i.e. the lateral sliding modeLateral sliding mode. This working mode is based on the coupling of sliding electrification and in-plane charge separation process, driven by an external force parallel with the horizontal direction of the thin films. With an intensive triboelectrification facilitated by sliding friction, a periodic change in the contact area between the two surfaces leads to lateral separation of the charge centers, which creates a voltage drop for driving the flow of electrons in the external load. The sliding mode is more favorable for packaging of the TENG, as the air gap is no longer required for the charge separation process. Furthermore, a lot of advanced structures have been developed for optimizing its output performance and expanding its field of applications, such as the liner-grating planar structureLinear grating structure, the rotation disk structureRotation disk structure, rotation cylinder structureRotation cylinder structure, and the case-encapsulated tube structureCase-encapsulated structure. Finally, the liquid-metal based TENGLiquid-metal based TENGwill be introduced that could deliver the highest instantaneous energy conversion efficiency to date. This chapter is to introduce the basic mechanism, theory, and structure design and performance characterization of the TENG.