In-situ photocatalysis enabled preparation of high-performance flexible inductive electrodes in triboelectric nanogenerators

The induction electrode plays a critical role in determining triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) performance through electrostatic induction. However, traditional fabrication methods involving metal tape adhesion face inherent limitations: i. The adhesive layer increases induction distance (which is inversely proportional to maximum surface charge density), consequently reducing output; ii. Their susceptibility to inelastic deformation prevents reliable operation under flexible/elastic strain required by wearable devices. To address these challenges, we developed a novel in-situ photocatalytic method for synthesizing silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) electrodes. Achievable even with ambient sunlight, this simple synthesis process can be accelerated to 1 min using high-power illumination. This method eliminates the adhesive layer required by traditional electrodes, enabling exceptional flexibility, stability, and adaptability. Free from expensive instruments, our low-cost method achieves 187 % enhanced output over traditional electrodes, rivaling magnetron-sputtered electrodes. The AgNPs electrode hybridized with minimal silver nanowires (AgNWs) exhibits superior resistance stability compared to the pure AgNWs electrode, using only 2.5 % AgNWs nano-material. Benefiting from the structural merits of AgNPs and their hybrid architecture, the developed electrodes achieve good flexibility and elastic strain performance. These advancements demonstrate the high potential of AgNPs induction electrodes for high-performance TENGs and wearable applications.