Direct writing of PVBVA/Ti 3 C 2 T x (MXene) triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and sensing applications

Pratap, Ajay [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)]; Rajabi Kouchi, Fereshteh [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)]; Burgoyne, Hailey [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000219538156); Curtis, Michael [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)]; Rektor, Attila [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0009000484580467); Seol, Myeong-Lok [NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA (United States)]; Mansoor, Naqsh E. [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)]; Varghese, Tony Valayil [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000232518395); Eixenberger, Josh [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)]; Efaw, Corey M. [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000189960224); Zuzelski, Matt [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)]; Little, Isaac [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0009000160852219); Fujimoto, Kiyo T. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000193853624); Deng, Zhangxian [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)]; Shuck, Christopher E. [Drexel Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States); Rutgers Univ., Piscataway, NJ (United States)]; Koehne, Jessica E. [NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA (United States)]; Estrada, David [Boise State Univ., ID (United States); Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000158940773)

doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111206

DOE OSTI · 3000393

Direct writing of PVBVA/Ti 3 C 2 T x (MXene) triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and sensing applications

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Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have gained recognition for their potential to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, making them attractive for applications in healthcare, robotics, and human-device interfaces. However, many TENG devices rely on fluorinated polymers for high charge generation and involve complex fabrication processes, which limit their practicality and environmental sustainability. Here, we developed an eco-friendly composite of poly (vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVBVA) and Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene for extrusion printing onto aluminum foil substrates, enabling the additive manufacturing of TENGs. Experimental results indicate that integrating 5.5 mg mL -1 of MXene (P-MX 5.5) into PVBVA resulted in a power density of 760 mW·m -2 , with simultaneous improvements in open-circuit voltage (129 %) and short-circuit current (250 %), demonstrating enhanced charge transfer efficiency. Beyond aluminum foil-based devices, we further explored the fully printed P-MX 5.5 TENG by utilizing silver ink electrodes, eliminating the need for aluminum foil. This fully printed, flexible TENG was successfully used for real-time human motion sensing, demonstrating its ability to detect activities such as walking, running, knee bending, and jumping. Collectively, our additively manufactured and sustainable PVBVA-MXene TENG composites, including both aluminum-based and fully printed versions, show promise for future energy harvesters, sensors, wearable electronics, healthcare, and robotic applications.

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Pratap, Ajay [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)], Rajabi Kouchi, Fereshteh [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)], Burgoyne, Hailey [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000219538156), Curtis, Michael [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)], Rektor, Attila [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0009000484580467), Seol, Myeong-Lok [NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA (United States)], Mansoor, Naqsh E. [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)], Varghese, Tony Valayil [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000232518395), Eixenberger, Josh [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)], Efaw, Corey M. [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000189960224), Zuzelski, Matt [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)], Little, Isaac [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)] (ORCID:0009000160852219), Fujimoto, Kiyo T. [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000193853624), Deng, Zhangxian [Boise State Univ., ID (United States)], Shuck, Christopher E. [Drexel Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States); Rutgers Univ., Piscataway, NJ (United States)], Koehne, Jessica E. [NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, Mountain View, CA (United States)], Estrada, David [Boise State Univ., ID (United States); Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)] (ORCID:0000000158940773). 2025-06-02. Direct writing of PVBVA/Ti 3 C 2 T x (MXene) triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and sensing applications. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2025.111206

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