Abstract
Converting sustainable human motion energy into electric energy has become an urgent task for the advancement of next-generation wearable and portable electronics. Herein, a core–shell coaxially structured triboelectric nanogenerator (CSTN) was fabricated by inserting an inner hollow circular tube into an outer hollow circular tube, and a gasbag is constructed within the space between the inner and outer tubes. Both Ni-coated polyester conductive textile and the conductive silicone rubber were used as effective electrode materials. The CSTN has excellent properties, including flexibility, light weight, sustainability and biological compatibility due to its unique structural design and materials selection. The CSTN can convert various forms of human motion energy, such as pressing, bending and twisting motion, into electric energy. A high short-circuit current of 11 μA and an open-circuit voltage of 380 V can be obtained from a CSTN with a length of 6 cm, corresponding to a high peak power of 1.638 mW at a load resistance of about 10 MΩ. When six such CSTNs are connected in parallel and placed under shoes, the electric energy output by normal walking can light up 60 LEDs connected serially and power up a competition-timer. The device can also sense different bending angles or twisting angles according to its signal outputs under different deformation angles. This study indicates the promising application prospects of the CSTN for next-generation devices, including self-powered illuminating devices, portable electronics, body motion sensing and health monitoring.
Highlights
In recent years, many new types of wearable electronics, such as intelligent glasses, smart bracelets, health monitoring instruments, exercise state monitoring equipment and implantable electronic chips, are being widely used in our daily life
A high short-circuit current of 11 mA and an open-circuit voltage of 380 V can be obtained from a coaxially structured triboelectric nanogenerator (CSTN) with a length of 6 cm, corresponding to a high peak power of 1.638 mW at a load resistance of about 10 MU
The power-generation mechanism of the core–shell coaxially structured triboelectric nanogenerator (CSTN) is illustrated in Fig. 2, which is based on the couple of triboelectri cation and electrostatic induction,[35] and the theoretical sources are derived from the Maxwell displacement current.[36]
Summary
Many new types of wearable electronics, such as intelligent glasses, smart bracelets, health monitoring instruments, exercise state monitoring equipment and implantable electronic chips, are being widely used in our daily life. Some studies have been conducted to convert sustainable human motion energy into electric energy through triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), which is considered as one of the most effective ways to solve the power supply problem for wearable electronics. The entire structure is encapsulated by silicone rubber that protects the device from ambient contamination, and air is injected into the space between the inner tube and the outer tube to form a gasbag, which can effectively improve the friction power generation performance. It can effectively convert various forms of human motion energy (pressing motion, twisting motion and bending motion) into electric energy. It is able to work as an energy harvesting unit, and acts as a sensor unit to detect bending angles or twisting angles, which indicates its broad application prospects in self-powered illuminating devices, portable electronics, motion sensing, health monitoring and so on
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