Transparent and flexible hybrid nanogenerator with welded silver nanowire networks as the electrodes for mechanical energy harvesting and physiological signal monitoring

Abstract

Intelligent physiological monitoring devices in wearable sensor technology expected to meet the commercial requirements, including good at optical transparency, stability under mechanical toughness, and easy integration with self-powered systems. Herein, the construction of transparent, flexible, triboelectric-piezoelectric hybrid nanogenerator (TPHNG) reported using triboelectric-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), piezoelectric-polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and welded silver nanowires (AgNWs) network served as the transparent conducting electrodes. The fabricated sandwich structure of TPHNG shows high transparency about 71% along with good flexibility. The fabricated TPHNG (2 × 3 cm2 area) capable of delivering remarkable output peak voltage and current about 30 V, and 3 μA respectively with a prompt output power density of 57 mW m−2 for 5 N strike forces. The energy collected from the human physiological movement by TPHNG demonstrated to charge a commercial capacitor to 1.5 V within 100 s and also power an electronic watch. As a human physiology monitor, the TPHNG accomplished to detect the individual signals generated by body movements, including bending angle, bending frequency of the elbow, and even weak signal like human radial pulse. Moreover, the output performance of the fabricated TPHNG device remains stable upon twisting and bending over 1000 cycles reveals excellent stability. Assembly of outstanding transparency, flexibility, electrical output and sensing performance of TPHNG could be a promising candidate applied in energy conversation, individual healthcare monitoring, electronic skin, and a human-machine interface.