Ultrathin\nStretchable Triboelectric Nanogenerators\nImproved by Postcharging Electrode Material

Abstract

Sustainable\nultrathin stretchable power sources have emerged with\nthe development of wearable electronics. They obtain energy from living\norganisms and the environment to drive these wearable electronics.\nHere, an ultrathin stretchable and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)\nimproved by chargeable carbon black (CB)/thermoplastic polyurethane\n(TPU) composite material (CT-TENG) is proposed for mechanical energy\nharvesting and physiological signal sensing. The CB/TPU composite\ncan act as both a stretchable electrode and a triboelectric layer\ndue to the coexistence of conductive CB and dielectric TPU. The CT-TENG\ndemonstrates good stretchability (≈646%), ultrathin thickness\n(≈50 μm), and a lightweight (≈62 mg). The triboelectric\nelectrode material can be improved by postcharging treatment. With\nthe corona charging process, the output performance of the CT-TENG\nwas improved eightfold and reached 41 V. Moreover, the CT-TENG with\na self-powered sensing capability can inspect the amplitude and frequency\nof different physiological movements. Consequently, the CT-TENG is\npromising in promoting the development of electronic skins, wearable\nsystems of self-powered sensors, human–machine interactions,\nsoft robotics, and artificial intelligence applications.