Direct-current triboelectricity from miniaturised sliding metal– monolayer–semiconductor contacts

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) represent an autonomous and sustainable technology for power generation, aiming to convert small vibrations into electricity. Through molecular control of Si crystals and the application of conductive atomic force microscopy, I have addressed crucial unresolved inquiries about the influencing factors of tribocurrent. This understanding has been leveraged to elucidate the operational principles of semiconductor-based direct-current triboelectric nanogenerators (DC-TENGs).