Spray power generation based on triboelectric effect

Sprays are widely distributed in nature and industry, but how to convert the energy inherent in sprays into electricity in an efficient and low-cost way is challenging. Herein, we demonstrated a new type of triboelectric nanogenerator for spray energy harvesting (S-TENG). By exploiting the triboelectric effect between the spray droplets and the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube surface, the S-TENG can produce an open-circuit voltage of up to 240 V and a short-circuit current of up to 15 mu A. The dependence of output performance on the tube length, wall thickness, tube diameter, spray pressure, tube material, and liquid type was systematically investigated. In addition, the S-TENG can successfully harvest spray energy to light up 21 commercial LEDs or power a calculator. The results provide an innovative approach for spray energy harvesting and new research directions for liquidsolid triboelectric nanogenerators (LS-TENG).