Exploring Newly Designed Mn-MOF for Sustainable Energy Harvesting and Smart Parking System

Abstract

Specifically designed functional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising materials for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). However, a material for achieving high triboelectric effects and efficient output performance without using any commercial tribo active polymers is urgently needed. By designing MOFs using reticular chemistry, herein, a Mn-MOF named IITI-4 is explored. IITI-4 exhibits a high modulation chain-like structure to develop multiple nanotubular porous channels. The high porosity can hold charge and reduce the charge decay with a loss of only 4.8% confirmed via KPFM measurement. IITI-4 was explored in a TENG-based energy-harvesting device with the MOF as the active layer. The IITI-4 TENG device achieved an excellent voltage of 201.3 V. The IITI-4 TENG device showed excellent capability by powering low-power electronics. A smart parking system was developed using a IITI-4 TENG for monitoring the occupancy and vacancy of parking slots. Real-time results were displayed to alert personnel managing the smart parking system. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.