Photoelectrochemical Charge Excitation Enhancement by Triboelectric Nanogenerator for High-Efficiency Self-Powered Anticorrosion

Abstract

Harnessing the synergy of solar and mechanical energy presents a potential strategy for high-efficiency photoelectrochemical cathodic protection. Herein, a Chitosan/NiFe₂O₄/TiO₂ (CS/NiFe₂O₄/TiO₂) ternary heterojunction with dual S-scheme charge-transfer channels is rationally designed, which strategically preserves high-energy electrons and holes while quenching low-activity carriers through interfacial band alignment. To enhance energy capture from mechanical sources, we developed Ecoflex composite dielectric properties to build a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The integrated self-powered cathodic protection system dynamically couples triboelectricity and photoelectrochemistry, where TENG-generated electric fields accelerate carrier separation in the heterojunction, resulting in a cathodic polarization shift of −0.517 V vs SCE for 304 stainless steel (304ss) protection. This represents a 148% enhancement in cathodic polarization shift (ΔE = |−0.517 to (−0.209)| = 0.308 V) compared to solar-only operation (−0.209 V vs SCE), demonstrating the superior protective efficacy enabled by the integrated energy harvesting strategy. This work establishes a sustainable paradigm for self-powered anticorrosion technologies in the marine environment.

Keywords

photoelectrochemical / self-powered anticorrosion / S-type heterojunction / TiO₂ / triboelectric nanogenerator

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2026 The Author(s). Energy & Environmental Materials published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Zhengzhou University.