Enhancing Triboelectric Nanogenerator Performance with Metal-Organic Framework Composite Nanofibers: Applications in Public Transit Monitoring, Staircase Alerts, and Security

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are known for their compact size, cost-effectiveness, and high efficiency, offering a renewable and green energy solution. The choice of materials used in TENG construction plays a crucial role in determining their performance and applications. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), with their unique architecture and functionality, have emerged as promising materials for TENG applications. In this study, we designed and synthesized a ZIF-67/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (ZP) composite nanofiber mat using the electrospinning method. The incorporation of ZIF-67 particles into PVA enhanced the TENG's performance, attributed to improved surface properties and strong electron-donating capabilities. When tested under hand tapping, the ZP-TENG demonstrated an output voltage of 416 V and a current of 185 mu A, with a power density of 7.18 W/m2 at a load resistance of 4 M Omega. This high power density enabled the ZP-TENG to power 480 LEDs with each hand tap momentarily, and when combined with energy management circuits, it was able to continuously power a calculator through a capacitor and bridge rectifier circuit. Additionally, the ZP-TENG was applied in real-time public monitoring systems, staircase step indicators, and indoor security enhancements, utilizing an Arduino Nano 33 IoT board and the Blynk cloud platform. This work highlights the potential of MOF/polymer-based TENGs for improved output performance and paves the way for exploring advanced materials in TENG technology.