Chitosan-based triboelectric materials for self-powered sensing at high temperature

Biopolymers have been widely used as triboelectric materials in constructing self-powered sensing system, whereas the annihilation of triboelectric charges at high temperatures restricted the output signals as well as the sensitivity of assembled sensors. Herein, a novel chitosan/montmorillonite/lignin (CML) composite film was designed and employed as the tribopositive layers in assembling self-powered sensing system under hot conditions (25-70oC). Originating from the strong intermolecular interaction between biopolymers and nanofillers, the dense contact surface restrained the volatilization of induced electrons. The optimized CML-TENG delivered the highest open circuit voltage (Voc) of 262 V and a maximum instantaneous output power of 429 mW/m2. Furthermore, the best CM5L3-TENG retained 66% of its initial Voc at 70℃, which is much higher than the pristine chitosan film (39%). Our work provides a new strategy to suppress the annihilation of triboelectric charges at high temperatures, boosting the development of self-powered sensing device under hot conditions.