Flexible single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerators with MXene/PDMS composite film for biomechanical motion sensors

Abstract

The increasing demand of portable electronics requires modern power sources to be flexible, wearable, durable, and waterproof. This work reports a flexible single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator composed of MXene/polydimethylsiloxane film. The effect of (MXene) content (wt%) and compressive force on the output performance of the as-prepared devices are systematically studied. A peak-to-peak open-circuit voltage of 225 V, short-circuit current density of 30 μA cm −2 , and a maximum power density of 10 mW cm −2 on a load resistance of 100 MΩ are obtained by periodically hand hammering a 2 × 4 cm 2 smart textile-based composite. The high output directly powers 80 green light emitting diodes connected in series without any additional power source. In addition to its application as a triboelectric nanogenerator, the textile-based composite is also implemented as a human motion sensor, detecting various human motions such as finger tapping, hand clapping, and hand hammering. Such lightweight smart textiles provide potential opportunities for multifunctional power sources and hence have promising applications in self-powered wearable electronics. • The flexible single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator was successfully fabricated. • The STENG device with area of 2×4 cm 2 under the periodic hand hammering can light up at least 80 LEDs. • The as-prepared device can behave as a human motion sensor.