2024 journal article

Triple network hydrogel-based structure triboelectric nanogenerator for human motion detection and structural health monitoring

NANO ENERGY, 130.

By: B. Xie*, Y. Ma*, N. Luo*, Y. Chen*, Y. Liu*, K. Nie*, Y. Jia*, R. Yin n, Y. Liu n

author keywords: Triboelectric nanogenerator; Energy harvesting; Self-powered sensing; K -eccentric brace; Structural Health Monitoring
UN Sustainable Development Goal Categories
Source: Web Of Science
Added: September 3, 2024

In this study, we developed a high-performance triple network (TN) PVA/PAAM/PEDOT/Zn2+ (PMPZ) hydrogel with exceptional mechanical properties and stable output performance. The robust and highly tough TN structure, fabricated via a Zn2+ pinned hydrogel and multi-network interpenetrating polymerization process, demonstrates high mechanical strength alongside exceptional mechanical properties. The PMPZ hydrogels exhibit notable mechanical sensing capabilities (gauge factor: 48.6) while maintaining excellent tensile (83.79 KPa) and compressive (96 MPa) strengths. As a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), the PMPZ-TENG shows outstanding flexibility and integrability, achieving a maximum open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 326.89 V and a peak power density of 368.3 μW/cm² with a load resistance of 10E8 Ω. Furthermore, the PMPZ-TENG demonstrates enduring practicality and responsiveness as a self-powered sensor. These properties make the PMPZ-TENG highly suitable for applications in human health monitoring. Additionally, we conducted computational simulations on the hydrogel and seismic-resistant civil models. 48 prototype structures simulated different seismic hazard levels to effectively capture plastic hinge deformation within high-strength steel composite K-shaped eccentric braced steel frames. The plastic hinge deformations informed the establishment of physical seismic models for structural health monitoring (SHM). This study not only introduces a high-performance PMPZ-TENG meeting practical requirements but also establishes a novel pathway for integrating TENGs in SHM.