Gas-Supported Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on In Situ Gap-Generation Method for Biomechanical Energy Harvesting and Wearable Motion Monitoring

Abstract

The rapid development of wearable electronic devices (such as in applications for health care monitoring, intelligent sports, and human–computer interaction) has led to a huge demand for sustainable energy. However, the existing equipment cannot meet the requirements of energy harvesting, wearable sensing, and environmental protection concurrently. Herein, by an environmentally friendly in situ gap-generation method and doping technology, we have manufactured an Ecoflex–PVDF composite material as a negative triboelectric layer and used gas as a support layer for the triboelectric nanogenerator (EPGS-TENG). The device has excellent electrical output performance and working stability (pressure sensitivity of 7.57 V/N, angle response capacity of 374%, output power of 121 μW, temperature adaptability from 20 °C to 40 °C, durability over 3 h, and stability of 10 days). EPGS-TENG can meet the requirements of biomechanical energy collection and wearable self-powered sensing simultaneously. EPGS-TENG shows great application potential for the new generation of wearable devices.