The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

We present a solution-processed bottlebrush polymer, PNB-g-PVDF [(polynorbornene)-g-(polyvinylidene fluoride)], that self-assembles into hierarchical core-shell nanospheres to achieve outstanding triboelectric performance. A thermally decomposable molecular splint, butadiene sulfone (BDS), is used to crystallize the PVDF side chains almost exclusively in the highly polar β-phase. TEM, SAED and depth profile XPS confirm a core-shell structure comprising a fluorine rich, highly polar shell wrapped around a PNB rich core. This architecture creates intrinsic charge-trapping layers where the curved shell concentrates the local electric field, and the mixed core provides deep traps that suppress charge leakage. When paired with Nylon 6,6 in a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), the film produces VOC = 188 V, ISC = 18.8 µA and Pmax = 0.255 mW cm^−2.