Self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea) for mechanically and environmentally stable, high performance, and versatile fully self-healing triboelectric nanogenerators

Abstract

Fully self-healing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) capable of recovering damaged triboelectric layers and electrodes are highly desirable as power supplies or self-powered sensors for next-generation electronics. However, the viable application of fully self-healing TENGs is limited due to their poor mechanical and environmental stabilities and output performances. These arise due to the poor mechanical strength, chemical stability, and triboelectric properties exhibited by the triboelectric layers. Herein, a self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea) with high mechanical strength, chemical stability, excellent healing efficiency, and outstanding triboelectric performance is synthesized. By sandwiching the self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea) with a self-healing ionogel, a fully self-healing TENG named FSI-TENG is obtained with an output power density of 2.75 W m−2, which is the highest compared with other reported fully self-healing TENG. Due to the mechanical strength and chemical stability of the self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea), the FSI-TENG exhibits a reliable electrical output performance after being stored at − 30 °C and 90 °C, immersed in corrosive solutions, bent, trampled, and even ran over by a car. Thus, the FSI-TENG can be used for high-output energy generation and as a self-powered sensor to detect water leaks, body movements, and the speed of a car. After damage, the FSI-TENG can be healed to completely restore its electrical output performance, mechanical properties, and environmental stability, ensuring its reliability and service life.