Service Behavior of Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) or TENG‐based self‐charging systems harvesting energy from ambient environment are promising power solution for electronics. The stable running remains a key consideration in view of potential complex application environment. In this work, a textile‐based tailorable multifunctional TENG (T‐TENG) is developed. The T‐TENG is used as self‐powered human body motion sensor, water energy harvester, and formed all textile‐based flexible self‐charging system by integrating with textile‐based supercapacitors. The service behavior and the mechanism of performance retention are also studied when the T‐TENG is damaged. As a self‐powered human body motion sensor, the T‐TENG maintains the stable properties when it is cut. As a water energy harvester, the T‐TENG is capable of scavenging mechanical energy from water efficiently even if it is damaged partly. Besides, the charge properties of the self‐charging system are systematically investigated when the T‐TENG is cut. The investigation on service behavior of T‐TENG and TENG‐based self‐charging system pushes forward the development of highly reliable electronics and is a guide for other nanodevices and nanosystems.