Dual polarity open circuit voltage in triboelectric nanogenerators originated from two states series impedance

Abstract

Experimental and simulation studies demonstrated that the initial voltage setting significantly influences the open-circuit voltage (VOC) in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Utilizing diode configurations, we consistently observed two distinct VOCs independent of the initial settings. A lower VOC corresponded to the surface voltage (VSurface), while a higher VOC was amplified by the product of the VSurface and the TENG's characteristic impedance ratio. Notably, a lower measurement system capacitance provided a more precise representation of the inherent characteristics of the TENG. Conversely, an increase in system impedance led to a convergence of the two VOCs and a reduction in their magnitudes relative to VSurface. These findings suggest that optimizing the initial/repeated charge balancing and minimizing capacitive loads are crucial for maximizing TENG output power in practical applications. © The Author(s) 2024.