Hybrid-Structured\nElectrospun Nanofiber Membranes\nas Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Wearable Electronics

Abstract

To\novercome the application limitation of traditional\nbatteries\non wearable electronics, self-powered wearable electronics have been\ndeveloped rapidly. The nanofiber-based triboelectric nanogenerators\n(TENGs) with unique characteristics have attracted much attention,\ndue to their broad application prospects in wearable electronics.\nHerein, hybrid-structured nanofiber membranes (HNMs) were prepared\nin batch by a modified free surface electrospinning (MFSE), which\nwere composed of thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon black (TPU/CB)\nbeaded nanofibers and poly(vinylidene fluoride-<i>co</i>-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) nanofibers. The interaction between\nTPU/CB beaded nanofibers and P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers in HNMs could\neffectively inhibit the delamination of P(VDF-TrFE) nanofibers. Thus,\nthe prepared HNMs as the negative friction layer of TENGs could effectively\nincrease the surface roughness, thus exhibiting better output performance\nand durability of TENGs. Moreover, the HNMs had stretchability and\nhydrophobicity, enabling the creation of durable wearable electronics\nthat convert mechanical energy generated by different human movements\ninto electrical energy. In addition, polylactic acid/chitosan/aloin\n(PCA) porous nanofiber membranes (PNMs) with biocompatibility and\npositron affinity were used as the positive friction of TENGs. The\nfabricated TENGs can be used to charge various capacitors, detect\nhuman motion, and power small electronic devices.