Air‐Permeable and Washable Paper–Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Highly Flexible and Robust Paper Electrodes

Abstract

AbstractThe development of paper–based triboelectric nanogenerator (P‐TENG) has gained increasing importance because of the growing demand for the next‐generation wearable and portable electronics. However, currently, the limited washability and breathability of P‐TENG have largely hindered its further development in wearable applications. Here, an air‐permeable and washable P‐TENG is successfully fabricated using highly flexible and robust multiwalled carbon nanotubes coated air‐laid paper electrodes. The good air permeability of the P‐TENG makes it comfortable when directly laminated onto human skin for wearable applications. Furthermore, the P‐TENG not only exhibits excellent flexibility and mechanical stability, but also shows remarkable washing durability. The P‐TENG can be utilized as self‐charging systems to drive electronic devices or self‐powered active sensor to monitor human body motions. This work presents a new possibility of the integration of paper‐based energy‐harvesting devices with cloth/skin for building low‐cost, green, and multifunctional wearable devices and systems.