A hybrid triboelectric nanogenerator integrating sliding and contact modes activated by a single motion for enhanced output and sensitivity

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as a promising solution for converting low-frequency ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy, especially from human motion. Hybrid-mode TENGs are gaining increasing attention for their potential to enhance energy harvesting efficiency by combining multiple triboelectric mechanisms within a single device. In this work, a hybrid sliding-contact mode TENG (HSC-TENG) is proposed, integrating both lateral sliding and vertical contact-separation modes, triggered by a single vertical motion. Polylactic acid (PLA) is selected as the positive friction layer, while Ecoflex 0050 is used as the negative layer. These materials enable the fabrication of protruded trapezoidal structures that promote hybrid motion. To fully exploit this geometry, a matching prism-shaped electrode is incorporated. The parallel alignment between the electrode and contact surface enhances charge transfer during both sliding and compression phases. The proposed HSC-TENG achieves an open-circuit voltage of 1.28 V and short-circuit current of 263 nA, with the triboelectric active area of 22.27 cm², which is 200% higher than conventional single-mode contact-separation TENG. Dynamic testing was conducted to validate the TENG design, demonstrating stable performance and structural robustness over 10,000 continuous operation cycles. The device was further demonstrated in a practical application, successfully charging capacitors and serving as a self-powered button for interactive, sustainable user interfaces.