Stretchable and flexible cylindrical-fiber-based triboelectric nanogenerator

Abstract

With the depletion of energy sources and an increase in the demand for portable electronic devices, energy harvesting is receiving more attention. In particular, fiber/textile triboelectric energy harvesters are flexible and lightweight, and thus, they are easy to wear on the human body. Traditional fiber-based triboelectric nanogenerators have an active triboelectric material and electrodes placed outside the fiber, causing problems such as short-circuiting, when made as a textile. To solve this problem, a cylindrical-fiber-based triboelectric nanogenerator (CFTENG), with an active triboelectric material and electrodes placed inside the fiber, has been fabricated and its applicability as an energy source has been confirmed. The CFTENG had 140% elasticity, and generated 5.4 V and 31.2 V in stretching and pushing motions, respectively. Due to its high elasticity, the CFTENG is expected to find applications in power generation and self-powered sensing.