Boosting Triboelectric Performance with In Situ Prussian Blue‐Decorated MXene Nanocomposites in P(VDF‐TrFE) and Nylon‐11 Nanofibers for Self‐Powered Photodetectors
Akash Gupta, Biswajit Mahanty, Sang Hyun Lee, Hyeon Jung Yu, Dong‐Weon Lee, Yong Il Park
Abstract
Abstract A surface‐engineered poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE)] film demonstrates enhanced electron affinity, which increases charge density and boosts electron‐accepting capability for efficient triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, its nonconductive nature and low dielectric constant restrict overall performance. To address these limitations, this study introduces HF‐etched MXene (MX) nanosheets and in situ synthesized Prussian blue (PB)‐decorated MX nanocomposites (PB@MX NCs) as surface additives in electrospun P(VDF‐TrFE) nanofibers. This integration greatly improves the dielectric properties and charge transfer efficiency, with PB increasing the electrical conductivity of MX by 3.6 times. An optimized P(VDF‐TrFE) film containing 2 wt.% PB@MX NCs, combined with electrospun nylon‐11 nanofibers, delivers a high‐performance TENG with an open‐circuit voltage of 191 V and a short‐circuit current of 31 µA—showing improvements of 362.4% and 2 380%, respectively, over pristine P(VDF‐TrFE)‐based TENGs. The performance gains result from the enhanced electron affinity, lower dielectric loss, and better charge accumulation. The TENGs achieve an output power density of 1.5 W m⁻ 2 and mechanical energy conversion efficiency of 70%. Beyond energy harvesting, it powers 70 LEDs, enables tactile touch sensing, and, operates as a self‐powered photodetector at zero bias for the first time. These results highlight the potential of PB@MX NC‐enhanced triboelectric platforms in self‐powered wearable electronics.