Work

Natural Kelp (Laminaria japonica) Hydrogel with Anisotropic Mechanical Properties, Low Friction and Self-Cleaning for Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Kelp is a natural hydrogel material, which has been widely used in food industry. However, as a natural material, its properties have not been well explored. In this work, the surface and mechanical properties of kelp were investigated. The surface of kelp exhibited superoleophobicity and a self-clean property. The friction coefficient (COF) of the kelp surface was also low (<0.1). Interestingly, kelp demonstrated anisotropic mechanical properties either with or without metal ions. The tensile strength and toughness of kelp along with the growth direction (H) were better than those at the direction vertical to the growth direction (V). The adsorption of metal ions would significantly enhance the mechanical properties and ionic conductivity. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) was assembled using kelp with NaCl, which showed excellent output performance (open-circuit voltage of 30 V, short-circuit current of 0.73 μA and charge transfer on contact of 10.5 nC). A writing tablet was prepared to use as the kelp-based self-powered tactile sensor. This work provides a new insight into natural kelp, which may be used as a renewable material.

Source: Gels

DOI: 10.3390/gels11080597

Authors: Dongnian Chen, Hui Yu, Jiajia Hao, Qiang Chen, Lin Zhu

Institutions: Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Taizhou Institute of Science and Technology, Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,534

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China