Recycled Polystyrene Waste to Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Volumetric Electromechanically Responsive Laminates from Same‐Material Contact Electrification

• DOI: 10.1002/aesr.202300259
• Publication Date: 2024-02-15T02:16:15Z
• Authors: Andris Šutka; Anna Šutka; Henriks Dundurs; Blanca del Rosal; Mairis Iesalnieks; Kaspars Mālnieks; Artis Linarts; Anders J. Barlow; Ronald T. Leon; Amanda V. Ellis; Peter C. Sherrell
• Keywords: Contact electrification; Polystyrene

Millions of tonnes polystyrene (PS) are produced annually, with only an estimated 12% being recycled. Herein, the upcycling expanded or foamed PS waste into electromechanically responsive triboelectric laminates (TLs) is described. These TLs possess internal dipoles offering alternative to ferroelectric fluoropolymers, and, when manufactured nanogenerators (TENGs), able generate over 200 V and 12 μA from motion. This energy harvesting enabled by electrospinning alternating layers small large diameter fibers, which upon friction establish effective dipole moment within TL. The PS‐TENG shows remarkable stability charge a 0.47 μF capacitor 15 in s vibration same material contact electrification, piezoelectric contact‐mode testing showing that single laminate comparable state‐of‐the‐art fluoropolymers for overall electromechanical conversion.