A universal standardized method for output capability assessment of nanogenerators

To quantitatively evaluate the output performance of triboelectric nanogenerators, figures of merit have been developed. However, the current figures of merit, without considering the breakdown effect that seriously affects the effective maximized energy output, are limited for application. Meanwhile, a method to evaluate output capability of nanogenerators is needed. Here, a standardized method that considers the breakdown effect is proposed for output capability assessment of nanogenerators. Contact separation and contact freestanding-triboelectric-layer modes triboelectric nanogenerators are used to demonstrate this method, and the effective maximized energy output and revised figures of merit are calculated based on the experimental results. These results are consistent with those theoretically calculated based on Paschen’s law. This method is also conducted to evaluate a film-based piezoelectric nanogenerator, demonstrating its universal applicability for nanogenerators. This study proposes a standardized method for evaluating the effective output capability of nanogenerators, which is crucial for standardized evaluation and application of nanogenerator technologies.