High-Performance Flexible Wearable Triboelectric Nanogenerator Sensor by β-Phase Polyvinylidene Fluoride Polarization

Flexible and wearable sensors have a crucial impact on the development of intelligent information technology. However, current commercial sensors cannot meet the relevant performance requirements. Herein, based on the electrospinning process, extra polarization, and triboelectric nanogenerator technologies, we propose a high-performance flexible wearable sensor (HFWS) with a self-powered and breathable function, which is constructed by polarized polyvinylidene fluoride-barium titanate (PVDF-BTO) electrospun film and a Ni fabric electrode. After optimization of the β-phase content in PVDF by electrospinning and BTO nanoparticles, an extra high-voltage polarization operation is continually used to improve the β-phase of PVDF and further enhance the triboelectric performance. Benefiting from the excellent triboelectric performance, the HFWS exhibits several times higher signal-to-noise ratio (37.01 dB), sensitivity (2.62 ± 0.11 V/kPa), and power density (4.62 W/m2) compared to previous similar studies. In addition, for the stable molecular phase structure in PVDF-BTO film, the HFWS has various good durability and stability in machinery, washing, environment, and other aspects. Our finding has potential value in the field of wearable devices, smart healthcare, and intelligent life.