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Title Triboelectric Nanogenerator from Used Surgical Face Mask and Waste Mylar Materials Aiding the Circular Economy
ID_Doc 4150
Authors Varghese, H; Chandran, A
Title Triboelectric Nanogenerator from Used Surgical Face Mask and Waste Mylar Materials Aiding the Circular Economy
Year 2021
Published Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces, 13, 43
DOI 10.1021/acsami.1c16557
Abstract Apart from claiming the lives of more than 3.2 million people, the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening the global plastic pollution every day, mainly with the overflux of single-use polypropylene (PP) face masks. In this scenario, as an innovative solution to mitigate plastic pollution as well as to meet the rising electrical energy demand, we are introducing an all-flexible and facile waste material-based triboelectric nanogenerator (WM-TENG), aiding toward the circular economy. The WM-TENG operating in contact separation mode is fabricated using the PP from a used face mask in combination with recovered Mylar sheets from solid wastes as triboelectric contact layers and a flexible supporting structure. After detailed investigation and trials to study the effect of various disinfection mechanisms of PP materials on the energy output of WM-TENG, UV-C radiation is selected for disinfecting the used masks owing to the retention of electrical energy output. Under a tapping force of 3 N, the WM-TENG having an active area of 6 cm(2) delivers an open-circuit voltage of 200 V and a short-circuit current density of 0.29 mA/m(2), respectively. The WM-TENG also delivered a maximum power density of 71.16 mW/m(2) under 108 Omega load. Additionally, the WM-TENG is demonstrated for powering electronic gadgets such as a calculator, digital thermometer, and LCD clock. This flexible and low-cost nanogenerator without any complex fabrication steps is a sustainable solution for the alarming plastic pollution as well as the rising energy demands.
Author Keywords TENG; circular economy; sustainable energy; waste material-based energy harvesting; green energy
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000715852100048
WoS Category Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Research Area Science & Technology - Other Topics; Materials Science
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