Triboelectrification of a dense metal-organic framework for resilient mechanical energy harvesters

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) incorporating metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have largely been designed around porous architectures, based on the assumption that high internal surface area is the primary driver for triboelectric enhancement. Herein, we demonstrate that a dense, nominally nonporous MOF called ZIF-zni can instead function as an effective high-loading filler within a tribopositive polyurethane (PU) matrix, offering a design strategy for harnessing interfacial electromechanical effects. A 20 wt% ZIF-zni@PU composite delivers an output voltage of 470+/-15 V and a peak power density of 1.31+/-0.03 W m-2 against polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The device exhibits stable performance over ~94,000 cycles under a contact force of ~100 N, and it remains operational under higher impact beyond 500 N. This concept enables the demonstration of a proof-of-concept triboelectric floor tile. Combined experimental and theoretical studies indicate that the performance enhancement arises from favourable interfacial polarization, reduced dielectric screening, and surface accessible ZIF-zni rich domains, rather than porosity alone. These features are accompanied by reduced work of adhesion and modified surface roughness, hence improving contact electrification. These findings establish dense MOFs as an effective triboelectric filler and identify interfacial electronic structure and polarization as key design parameters for engineering mechanical energy harvesters and self-powered sensors.