Biodegradable triboelectric materials for sustainable mechanical energy harvesting

Developing high-performance, biodegradable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) is vital for sustainable electronics. We report a biodegradable TENG utilizing a methylcellulose (MC)/pulp composite film. Incorporating 1 wt% pulp fibers constructs a hierarchical 3D percolating network, simultaneously enlarging contact area and enriching hydroxyl groups for charge trapping. Optimized 1 wt% MC/pulp devices deliver an open-circuit voltage of 13.8 V, a short-circuit current of 3.55 μA, and a peak power of 48.99 μW, representing a 109.99% improvement over pure MC. Systematic analysis (SEM/XPS/FEA) and theoretical dielectric modeling based on the Cole-Cole framework show that performance enhancement stems from synergistic structural, chemical, and Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) interfacial polarization effects. Importantly, the device demonstrates exceptional mechanical durability over 10,000 continuous cycles. The successful illumination of multiple LEDs highlights its practical viability as a robust, sustainable power source for green electronics, establishing a clear "structure–chemistry–dielectric–performance" relationship.