Metal-Free, Bio-Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on a Single Electrode of Bacterial Cellulose Modified with Carbon Black

• Main Author: Freire, Andre L.
• Publication Date: 2024
• Other Authors: Lima, Lais R., Candido, Iuri C. M., Silva, Luygui G. [UNESP], Ribeiro, Sidney J. L. [UNESP], Carrilho, Emanuel, Oliveira, Thais L., de Oliveira, Luiz Fernando C., Barud, Hernane S., de Oliveira, Helinando P.
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositório Institucional da UNESP
• Download full: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nanoenergyadv4010006; https://hdl.handle.net/11449/302074
• topic: bacterial cellulose; Ecoflex; energy harvesting; triboelectric

Developing metal-free electrodes for prototypes of bio-based devices is an essential step in producing non-toxic components for implantable devices and wearables. In particular, the advancement in self-powered devices is a hot topic for several applications due to the possibility of creating free-battery devices and sensors. In this paper, the modification of bacterial cellulose by the progressive incorporation of carbon black (a conductive filler) was explored as a prototype for bio-based electrodes for triboelectric nanogenerators. This process was controlled by the percolation pathways’ activation through the contact of carbon black grains with the bacterial cellulose membrane, which represents a critical step in the overall process of optimization in the power output performance, reaching an open circuit voltage value of 102.3 V, short circuit current of 2 μA, and power density of 4.89 μW/cm2.