Preparation of Chitin Nanofibers and Natural Rubber Composites and Their Triboelectric Nanogenerator Applications
Kattaliya Petchnui,
Teerayut Uwanno,
Mayuree Phonyiem Reilly,
Chinathun Pinming,
Alongkot Treetong,
Visittapong Yordsri,
Nutthanun Moolsradoo,
Annop Klamcheun,
Winadda Wongwiriyapan
Affiliations
Kattaliya Petchnui
College of Materials Innovation and Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chalongkrung Rd., Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Teerayut Uwanno
College of Materials Innovation and Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chalongkrung Rd., Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Mayuree Phonyiem Reilly
College of Materials Innovation and Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chalongkrung Rd., Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Chinathun Pinming
College of Materials Innovation and Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chalongkrung Rd., Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Alongkot Treetong
National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Rd., Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Visittapong Yordsri
National Matal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Rd., Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Nutthanun Moolsradoo
Department of Production Technology Education, Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, 126 Pracha Uthit Rd., Thung Khru, Bangkok 10140, Thailand
Annop Klamcheun
National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), 111 Thailand Science Park, Paholyothin Rd., Klong Nueng, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
Winadda Wongwiriyapan
College of Materials Innovation and Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Chalongkrung Rd., Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, Thailand
Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have gained significant attention as promising energy-harvesting devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy through charge separation induced by friction and electrostatic induction. In this study, we explore the utilization of biowaste shrimp shell-extracted chitin nanofiber (ChNF) as a viable eco-friendly material for TENG applications. Composite materials were prepared by incorporating ChNF into natural rubber (NRL) at loading levels of 0.1 and 0.2 wt% (NRL/ChNF) to form the TENG triboelectric layer. ChNFs with a uniform width of approximately 10–20 nm were successfully extracted from the shrimp shells through a simple mechanical procedure. The NRL/ChNF composites exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, as evidenced by a higher Young’s modulus (3.4 GPa) compared to pure NRL. Additionally, the NRL/ChNF composites demonstrated an increased dielectric constant of 3.3 at 0.1 MHz. Moreover, the surface potential difference of NRL increased from 0.182 V to 1.987 V in the NRL/ChNF composite. When employed as the triboelectric layer in TENG, the NRL/ChNF composites exhibited significant improvement in their output voltage, with it reaching 106.04 ± 2.3 V. This enhancement can be attributed to the increased dielectric constant of NRL/ChNF, leading to enhanced charge exchange and charge density. This study presents a straightforward and environmentally friendly technique for preparing sustainable natural materials suitable for energy-harvesting devices.
