Steering triboelectric and mechanical properties of polymer fibers with carbon black

Abstract

The development of wearable electronics has spurred an increased interest in self-powered systems and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). To enhance the output performance of TENGs, researchers have dedicated significant efforts toward finding effective ways to increase triboelectric and mechanical performance. This study examined how conductive carbon black (CB) affects the mechanical and triboelectric properties of electrospun fibers made of polyurethane (PU), polystyrene (PS), and polycarbonate (PC). The addition of CB affected their mechanical properties, including increased tensile strength and decreased elongation at break. Importantly, triboelectric testing revealed that incorporating CB decreased the triboelectric output of PU and PS by over 90%, while it increased the output of PC by 260%. These findings indicate that CB's effects on triboelectric properties depend on the material and its content, underscoring the importance of selecting CB content carefully for optimal mechanical and triboelectric performance in electrospun fibers and composites. This research validates the development of advanced composite materials for electrostatic discharge protection and energy harvesting applications.