Robust design of unearthed single-electrode TENG from three-dimensionally hybridized copper/polydimethylsiloxane film

Developing novel smart materials for the next generation of advanced electronic devices represents a major challenge as well as an exciting opportunity in the direction of integration, miniaturization, and flexibility. Here an unearthed single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is fabricated from three-dimensionally hybridized copper/polydimethylsiloxane powering films. This robust design simplifies the traditional contact separation mode so that the as-fabricated single-electrode TENG is simple, stable, waterproof and can be operated without grounding. The output current reaches 1.2 A cm(-2) when a pressure as small as 5 N cm(-2) is applied, which leads to the invention of a pressure sensitive device by integrating with an electrochromic film. The pioneering unearthed single-electrode working modes start up a multifunctional platform for both energy harvesting and self-powered touch sensors.