Waterproof, Breathable, and Antibacterial Self-Powered e-Textiles Based on Omniphobic Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract

Multifunctional electronic textiles (e-textiles) incorporating miniaturized electronic devices will pave the way toward a new generation of wearable devices and human–machine interfaces. Unfortunately, the development of e-textiles is subject to critical challenges, such as battery dependence, breathability, satisfactory washability, and compatibility with mass production techniques. This work describes a simple and cost-effective method to transform conventional garments and textiles into waterproof, breathable, and antibacterial e-textiles for self-powered human–machine interfacing. Combining embroidery with the spray-based deposition of fluoroalkylated organosilanes and highly networked nanoflakes, omniphobic triboelectric nanogenerators (RF-TENGs) can be incorporated into any fiber-based textile to power wearable devices using energy harvested from human motion. RF-TENGs are thin, flexible, breathable (air permeability 90.5 mm s−1), inexpensive to fabricate (<0.04$ cm−2), and capable of producing a high power density (600 µW cm−2). E-textiles based on RF-TENGs repel water, stains, and bacterial growth, and show excellent stability under mechanical deformations and remarkable washing durability under standard machine-washing tests. Moreover, e-textiles based on RF-TENGs are compatible with large-scale production processes and exhibit high sensitivity to touch, enabling the cost-effective manufacturing of wearable human–machine interfaces.