Enhanced triboelectric effect using functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube-coated fiber mats for biomechanical energy harvesting

Authors

• Fernando Viesca, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Diego de Leon, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Kevin Alejandro, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Rigobert Ybarra Jr., The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Md. Wasikur Rahman, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Victoria Padilla, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Horacio Vasquez, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
• Karen Lozano, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• M. Jasim Uddin, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2026

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as a cutting-edge technology for developing self-powered wearable electronic devices. In this study, TENGs were fabricated using two fiber mats: forcespun polytetrafluoroethylene (FS-PTFE) microfibers and electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (ES-PVA) nanofiber (NF) mats. The FS-PTFE mats were coated with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Functionalized MWCNTs were dispersed in water-based solutions containing three different surfactants—sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and Triton X-100 to enhance fiber interaction. The NF mats were subsequently immersed in aqueous systems. The surfactant facilitated the uniform deposition of COOH-MWCNTs onto the FS-PTFE fibers, serving as a negative layer, while ES-PVA mat functioned as a positive layer for TENGs. The fabricated fiber systems were characterized using FESEM and AFM with energy dispersive XRD and FTIR. Electrical testing revealed 240% improvement in voltage performance for MWCNT-coated fibers compared to uncoated fibers. The specimen without surfactant exhibited the highest peak-to-peak values of 284 V, 2.29 µA, and 0.65 mW at a frequency of 140 BPM. Further testing demonstrated the TENG's charging capacity, durability, stability, and applicability as a sensor in various biomechanical motion scenarios. These findings underscore the potential of the developed TENGs for cost-effective, long-term use in self-powered wearable energy harvesting and sensory applications.

Comments

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Recommended Citation

Viesca, Fernando, Diego de Leon, Kevin Alejandro, Rigobert Ybarra, Md Wasikur Rahman, Victoria Padilla, Horacio Vasquez, Karen Lozano, and M. Jasim Uddin. "Enhanced triboelectric effect using functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube-coated fiber mats for biomechanical energy harvesting." Nano Trends (2026): 100200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwnano.2026.100200.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Nano Trends

DOI

10.1016/j.nwnano.2026.100200