A Unified Enhanced Quasi-Electrostatic 3D Charge Model for Accurate Prediction and Design Optimization of Contact‒Separation Triboelectric Nanogenerators

An integrated theoretical model for a vertical contact‒ and separation‒ mode triboelectric nanogenerator (VCS‒TENG) is presented to improve the accuracy of electrostatic behavior predictions and forecast its electrical output characteristics more effectively. Existing theoretical models for VCS‒TENG are reviewed and unified to develop a new model. The formulation used to evaluate the electric potential difference is modified, and a mathematical technique is introduced for simplification. The newly derived model is validated by comparing it with experimental results. Moreover, the effects of various parameters on the electrical output characteristics are investigated using theoretical and experimental methods, and similar trends are observed. This new theoretical model can be used to predict VCS‒TENG output performance and optimize its structural design.