Service Behavior of Multifunctional Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) or TENG-based self-charging systems harvesting energy from ambient environment are promising power solution for electronics. The stable running remains a key consideration in view of potential complex application environment. In this work, a textile-based tailorable multifunctional TENG (T-TENG) is developed. The T-TENG is used as self-powered human body motion sensor, water energy harvester, and formed all textile-based flexible self-charging system by integrating with textile-based supercapacitors. The service behavior and the mechanism of performance retention are also studied when the T-TENG is damaged. As a self-powered human body motion sensor, the T-TENG maintains the stable properties when it is cut. As a water energy harvester, the T-TENG is capable of scavenging mechanical energy from water efficiently even if it is damaged partly. Besides, the charge properties of the self-charging system are systematically investigated when the T-TENG is cut. The investigation on service behavior of T-TENG and TENG-based self-charging system pushes forward the development of highly reliable electronics and is a guide for other nanodevices and nanosystems.