Ultrathin Stretchable Triboelectric Nanogenerators Improved by Postcharging Electrode Material

Sustainable ultrathin stretchable power sources have emerged with the development of wearable electronics. They obtain energy from living organisms and the environment to drive these wearable electronics. Here, an ultrathin stretchable and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) improved by chargeable carbon black (CB)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite material (CT-TENG) is proposed for mechanical energy harvesting and physiological signal sensing. The CB/TPU composite can act as both a stretchable electrode and a triboelectric layer due to the coexistence of conductive CB and dielectric TPU. The CT-TENG demonstrates good stretchability (approximate to 646%), ultrathin thickness (approximate to 50 mu m), and a lightweight (approximate to 62 mg). The triboelectric electrode material can be improved by postcharging treatment. With the corona charging process, the output performance of the CT-TENG was improved eightfold and reached 41 V. Moreover, the CT-TENG with a self-powered sensing capability can inspect the amplitude and frequency of different physiological movements. Consequently, the CT-TENG is promising in promoting the development of electronic skins, wearable systems of self-powered sensors, human-machine interactions, soft robotics, and artificial intelligence applications.

Automated summary

The study introduces an ultrathin stretchable and triboelectric nanogenerator (CT-TENG) improved by chargeable carbon black (CB)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite material for mechanical energy harvesting and physiological signal sensing. The improved CT-TENG shows good stretchability, ultrathin thickness, and lightweight, with enhanced output performance through corona charging process and self-powered sensing capability. The CT-TENG holds great potential in advancing electronic skins, wearable systems of self-powered sensors, human-machine interactions, soft robotics, and artificial intelligence applications.