Triboelectric performances of biodegradable polymers

Biodegradable polymers (BPs), as fundamental materials for implantable biodegradable medical electronic device (IBMED) fabrication, can be used to prepare the encapsulation layer, substrate, and sensing materials of IBMEDs and the triboelectric materials of implantable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) in particular. The basic properties of these materials determine IBMED performance and application. However, few studies have compared the basic properties of a comprehensive range of BPs, especially in terms of their triboelectric performances and related laws. Here, a comprehensive range of 40 kinds of triboelectric BP films were prepared and tested for triboelectric polarities and degradation in a uniform state. Particularly, we developed a triboelectric series based on these BPs and innovatively summarized the regularities and principles of influence of various main- or side-chain chemical groups on the triboelectric polarities of BPs. This study can not only help researchers to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of triboelectrification of polymers but also provides important guidance for material selection, especially for the selection of triboelectric BPs for TENG-based IBMEDs in regard to basic research and application.