Development of textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators integrated with plastic metal electrodes for wearable devices

This study aimed to develop wearable devices of textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) integrated with plastic metal electrodes. The plastic metal electrodes were developed using Ga-In liquid alloy with glaze powders as the contact electrodes of the textile-based TENGs. Moreover, nylon and polyester textiles with different microstructures/nanostructures were selected as frictional electrodes in TENGs to achieve high flexibility, stability, and electric conductivity. The experimental results indicated that the maximum output voltage and current of the textile-based TENGs were 30.96 V and 3.07 μA, respectively, when the TENG comprised a nylon layer with embroidered square array patterns and a polyester layer with polyvinylidene fluoride nanofibers. Furthermore, these TENGs could generate a maximum output power of 13.97 μW when the external load resistance was 10 MΩ. After a continuous 7200 cycle operation with a reciprocating linear motion platform having a pneumatic cylinder, the textile-based TENG exhibited excellent stability and durability. The fabricated TENGs integrated in a commercial coat, shoe, kneecap, and wristband achieved biomechanical energy conversion functions with high electrical performance for practical applications of self-powered devices.