Journal article
Direct writing of PVBVA/Ti3C2 Tx (MXene) triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and sensing applications
Nano energy, v 142(A), 111206
01 Sep 2025
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
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 Ti₃C₂Tₓ 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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•PVBVA-MXene inks were developed for scalable extrusion printing.•Printed PVBVA-MXene TENGs achieved 252 V output and 760 mW·m⁻² power density.•PVBVA-MXene composite offers high polarizability and energy storage potential over 10 K bending cycles.•Demonstrated TENG energy harvesting from human motion and water drop impacts.
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Details
- Title
- Direct writing of PVBVA/Ti3C2 Tx (MXene) triboelectric nanogenerators for energy harvesting and sensing applications
- Creators
- Ajay Pratap - Boise State UniversityFereshteh Rajabi Kouchi - Boise State UniversityHailey Burgoyne - Boise State UniversityMichael Curtis - Boise State UniversityAttila Rektor - Boise State UniversityMyeong-Lok Seol - Universities Space Research AssociationNaqsh E. Mansoor - Boise State UniversityTony Valayil Varghese - Boise State UniversityJosh Eixenberger - Boise State UniversityCorey M. Efaw - Boise State UniversityMatt Zuzelski - Boise State UniversityIsaac Little - Boise State UniversityKiyo Fujimoto - Idaho National LaboratoryZhangxian Deng - Boise State UniversityChristopher E. Shuck - Drexel UniversityJessica E. Koehne - Universities Space Research AssociationDavid Estrada (Corresponding Author) - Boise State University
- Publication Details
- Nano energy, v 142(A), 111206
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Materials Science and Engineering; A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001508155100001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105007471640
- Other Identifier
- 991022197435904721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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Source: SDGs in the Output
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Physical
- Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
- Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
- Physics, Applied