High-Performance Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Recycled Tire Rubber-SBR Composite for Motion Sensing and Energy Harvesting

The growing demand for sustainable and durable energy-harvesting technologies has highlighted the limitations of conventional triboelectric materials including poor environmental sustainability and inadequate mechanical robustness. Addressing these challenges, this study introduces a high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on reclaimed tire rubber-reinforced styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) composite films, which synergistically combines waste recycling with advanced energy device engineering. The key scientific issue revolves around enhancing the triboelectric performance and environmental durability through microstructural design and interfacial optimization. Reclaimed rubber particles function as multifunctional fillers, significantly improving the mechanical strength (up to 25 MPa), dielectric properties, charge trapping capability, and thermal stability. The TENG exhibits excellent electrical output performance, with a peak output power density of 4.2 μW/cm2, maintaining stability over 100,000 cycles, and resisting corrosive environments. Finite element simulations and material pairing studies elucidate the underlying charge transfer mechanism. This work not only provides a scalable and eco-friendly paradigm for high-performance TENGs but also paves the way for the application of robust, self-powered systems in demanding environments such as industrial IoT sensing and sustainable personal electronics.