Ultra-Flexible and Large-Area Textile-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators with a Sandpaper-Induced Surface Microstructure.

Jian Song,Xiaoming Tao,Lixiao Li,Libo Gao

doi:10.3390/ma11112120

Abstract

Wearable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have attracted interest in recent years, which demand highly flexible, scalable, and low-cost features. Here, we report an ultra-flexible, large-scale and textile-based TENG (T-TENG) for scavenging human motion energy. The triboelectric layer was derived from the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film with a cost-effective paper-induced rough surface via a facile doctor-blending technology. Ag-coated chinlon fabric (ACF) with ultra-flexible, large-scale and conductive characteristics was used as the electrode. The as-fabricated PDMS-based ACF (PACF) composites possess a 240 × 300 mm2 superficial area and remain highly flexible under mechanical squeezing, folding and even tearing deformation. The maximum output charge of ~21 μC and voltage of 80.40 V were therefore achieved to directly power 100 LEDs based on the high surface area of 762.73 mm2 which was rationally replicated from the sandpaper of the T-TENG. Moreover, the output voltage signal can be also used as a trigger signal of a movement sensor. Importantly, the explicit theoretical model corresponding to T-TENG was quantitatively investigated under different applied force, frequency and effective surface factor.

Highlights

Micro/nano-scale energy scavenging has been taken into consideration as a promising green technology to generate energy from daily human motion, which can be expectedly integrated into wearable and self-powered systems [1,2,3]
The materials for T-triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) should meet the following requirements: (I) The electronegative polymer with high yield strength but low modulus is ranked relatively low in the triboelectric series, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) [30]. (II) All the materials are flexible, i.e., conductive fibric (CF) and polymer thin film. (III) The triboelectric surface possesses a specific microstructure or relatively roughness
PDMS was elaborate uniformlythe coated on the surface of Ag-coated chinlon fabric (ACF),of ensuring an the free-standing

Summary

Introduction

Micro/nano-scale energy scavenging has been taken into consideration as a promising green technology to generate energy from daily human motion, which can be expectedly integrated into wearable and self-powered systems [1,2,3]. Textile-based flexible electronic devices that are light and permeable can be made in very large areas of over hundreds or thousands of square meters [4,5]. Textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators (T-TENGs), as excellent energy harvesters, have recently attracted great attention [6,7,8]. As compared to flexible thin-film-based TENGs, textile-based TENGs have outstanding three-dimensional deformability, superior fatigue resistance in long-term repeated large deformation, and excellent ubiquitousness, perfectly suited for wearable electronics, human-machine interaction as well as large-area applications. The mass fabrication of textiles normally involves cost-effective and environmentally friendly processes by using well established facilities at low temperature, often in ambient conditions

Methods

Results

Conclusion