Self-powered hybrid triboelectric–piezoelectric electronic skin based on P(VDF-TrFE) electrospun nanofibers for artificial sensory system

Abstract Piezoelectric sensors have been developed due to the self-powered sensing and flexibility and the promising potential applications in the electronic skin (e-skin) inspired by human skin. However, although the piezoelectric sensors have an excellent performance in detecting human movements, it is difficult to distinguish external mechanical stimuli such as tapping in a single structure, together. Here, we suggest a self-powered e-skin based on electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene), nanofiber hybrid triboelectric–piezoelectric sensor (E-HTPS), that can identify between human motions and external touch based on both triboelectric effect and piezoelectric effect. Triboelectric effect-based sensors have a good electrical output characteristic with various advantages of high-flexibility and simple working operation. Hence, the E-HTPS consists of two layers, triboelectric layer as a tactile sensor and piezoelectric layer as a human motion sensor. Therefore, we demonstrate that the E-HTPS can detect human movements and even finger touch with attached to the target body part. Consequently, the E-HTPS could provide an effective approach to designing the self-powered e-skin as an artificial sensory system for healthcare monitoring and soft robotics.