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Kumar A, Avadhani VS, Nandy A, Mondal S, Pathak B, Pavuluri VKN, Avulapati MM, Banerjee S. Water Microdroplets in Air: A Hitherto Unnoticed Natural Source of Nitrogen Oxides. Anal Chem 2024; 96:10515-10523. [PMID: 38829716 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Water microdroplets are widespread in the atmosphere. We report a striking observation that micron-sized water droplets obtained from zero-volt spray sources (sonic spray, humidifier, spray bottle, steamer, etc.) spontaneously generate nitrogen oxides. The mechanistic investigation through the development of custom-designed sampling sources combined with mass spectrometry and isotope labeling experiments confirmed that air nitrogen reacts with the water at the air-water interface, fixing molecular nitrogen to its oxides (NO, NO2, and N2O) and acids (HNO2 and HNO3) at trace levels without any catalyst. These reactions are attributed to the consequence of an experimentally detected feeble corona discharge (breakdown of air) at the air-water interface, likely driven by the high intrinsic electric field at the surface of water microdroplets. The extent of this corona discharge effect varies depending on the pH, salinity/impurity, size, speed, and lifetime of microdroplets in the air. Thus, this study discloses that the air-water interface of microdroplets breaks the strong chemical bond of nitrogen (N2), producing nitrogen oxides in the environment, while lightning strikes and microbial processes in soil are considered their dominant natural sources. As nitrogen oxides are toxic air pollutants, their spontaneous formation at the air-water interface should have important implications in atmospheric reactions, requiring further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anubhav Kumar
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Veena Shankar Avadhani
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Abhijit Nandy
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Supratim Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | - Barsha Pathak
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
| | | | - Madan Mohan Avulapati
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, Tirupati 517619, India
| | - Shibdas Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Tirupati, Tirupati 517507, India
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Jiang F, Zhan L, Lee JP, Lee PS. Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on Fluid Medium: From Fundamental Mechanisms toward Multifunctional Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308197. [PMID: 37842933 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Fluid-based triboelectric nanogenerators (FB-TENGs) are at the forefront of promising energy technologies, demonstrating the ability to generate electricity through the dynamic interaction between two dissimilar materials, wherein at least one is a fluidic medium (such as gas or liquid). By capitalizing on the dynamic and continuous properties of fluids and their interface interactions, FB-TENGs exhibit a larger effective contact area and a longer-lasting triboelectric effect in comparison to their solid-based counterparts, thereby affording longer-term energy harvesting and higher-precision self-powered sensors in harsh conditions. In this review, various fluid-based mechanical energy harvesters, including liquid-solid, gas-solid, liquid-liquid, and gas-liquid TENGs, have been systematically summarized. Their working mechanism, optimization strategies, respective advantages and applications, theoretical and simulation analysis, as well as the existing challenges, have also been comprehensively discussed, which provide prospective directions for device design and mechanism understanding of FB-TENGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Jiang
- Institute of Flexible Electronics Technology of Tsinghua, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, 314000, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Liuxiang Zhan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Jin Pyo Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Pooi See Lee
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
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Hu J, Iwamoto M, Chen X. A Review of Contact Electrification at Diversified Interfaces and Related Applications on Triboelectric Nanogenerator. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 16:7. [PMID: 37930592 PMCID: PMC10628068 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) can effectively collect energy based on contact electrification (CE) at diverse interfaces, including solid-solid, liquid-solid, liquid-liquid, gas-solid, and gas-liquid. This enables energy harvesting from sources such as water, wind, and sound. In this review, we provide an overview of the coexistence of electron and ion transfer in the CE process. We elucidate the diverse dominant mechanisms observed at different interfaces and emphasize the interconnectedness and complementary nature of interface studies. The review also offers a comprehensive summary of the factors influencing charge transfer and the advancements in interfacial modification techniques. Additionally, we highlight the wide range of applications stemming from the distinctive characteristics of charge transfer at various interfaces. Finally, this review elucidates the future opportunities and challenges that interface CE may encounter. We anticipate that this review can offer valuable insights for future research on interface CE and facilitate the continued development and industrialization of TENG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
| | - Mitsumasa Iwamoto
- Department of Physical Electronics, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 S3-33 O-Okayama, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, 152-8552, Japan.
| | - Xiangyu Chen
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
- School of Nanoscience and Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China.
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Tan C, Xu R, Zhang Q. Revisiting Contact Electrification at Polymer-Liquid Interfaces. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:11882-11891. [PMID: 36122176 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Contact electrification (CE) occurs naturally at all interfaces between solids and solids, solids and liquids, solids and gasses, and so forth. It has been extensively studied for decades. While CE at a solid-solid interface has been demonstrated to be primarily caused by electron transfer, the underlying mechanism of CE at a liquid-solid interface remains controversial. In this paper, the CE process between polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and different inorganic solutions at different temperatures is studied to investigate the charge transfer mechanism. The observed temperature-CE charge relationship falls into two categories, that is, the general case and the special case. In the general case, the CE charge first increases negatively and then positively with the temperature. The CE charge increasing negatively could result from enhanced electron transfer at the interface, while the CE charge increasing positively may be caused by increasing adsorption of cations, which neutralize the negative charges on the PET surface. In contrast, the CE charge first increases positively and then negatively with the temperature in the special case. The CE charge increasing positively could be attributed to more cations being attracted to the negatively charged PET surface, while the charge increasing negatively may be caused by more anions being attracted to the PET due to enhanced cation adsorption. Supported by the surface charge and dynamic charge transfer at different PET-solution interfaces and solution temperatures, our study provides a plausible interpretation of the temperature-dependent CE at the polymer-liquid interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Tan
- National Junior College, Singapore 288913, Singapore
- Centre of Micro-/Nanoelectronics (CMNE), School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Ran Xu
- Centre of Micro-/Nanoelectronics (CMNE), School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Qing Zhang
- Centre of Micro-/Nanoelectronics (CMNE), School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
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Pu X, Zhang C, Wang ZL. Triboelectric nanogenerators as wearable power sources and self-powered sensors. Natl Sci Rev 2022; 10:nwac170. [PMID: 36684511 PMCID: PMC9843157 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwac170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Smart wearable technologies are augmenting human bodies beyond our biological capabilities in communication, healthcare and recreation. Energy supply and information acquisition are essential for wearable electronics, whereas the increasing demands in multifunction are raising the requirements for energy and sensor devices. The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), proven to be able to convert various mechanical energies into electricity, can fulfill either of these two functions and therefore has drawn extensive attention and research efforts worldwide. The everyday life of a human body produces considerable mechanical energies and, in the meantime, the human body communicates mainly through mechanical signals, such as sound, body gestures and muscle movements. Therefore, the TENG has been intensively studied to serve as either wearable sources or wearable self-powered sensors. Herein, the recent finding on the fundamental understanding of TENGs is revisited briefly, followed by a summary of recent advancements in TENG-based wearable power sources and self-powered sensors. The challenges and prospects of this area are given as well.
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Liu Z, Li S, Lin S, Shi Y, Yang P, Chen X, Wang ZL. Crystallization-Induced Shift in a Triboelectric Series and Even Polarity Reversal for Elastic Triboelectric Materials. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:4074-4082. [PMID: 35522039 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c00767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A stretchable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) can be a promising solution for the power supply of various flexible electronics. However, the detailed electrification mechanism of elastic triboelectric materials still needs to be clarified. In this work, we found crystallization behavior induced by strain and low temperature can lead to a shift in a triboelectric series for commonly used triboelectric elastomers and even reverse the triboelectric polarity. This effect is attributed to the notable rearrangement of surface electron cloud density happening along with the crystallization process of the molecular chain. This effect is significant with natural rubber, and silicone rubber can experience this effect at low temperature, which also leads to a shift in a triboelectric series, and an applied strain at low temperature can further enhance this shift. This study demonstrated that the electrification polarity of triboelectric materials should be re-evaluated under different strains and different temperatures, which provides a mechanism distinct from the general understanding of elastic triboelectric materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqi Liu
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuyao Li
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiquan Lin
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxiang Shi
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Yang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangyu Chen
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong Lin Wang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100083 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Nanoscience and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, People's Republic of China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0245, United States
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