Polarization-Induced Mechanically Socketed Ultra-Stretchable and Breathable Textile-Based Nanogenerator and Pressure Sensor

Textile-based wearable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as viable power sources for wearable electronics. However, it is still a daunting challenge to realize a high-performing textile-based nanogenerator without compromising its intrinsic textile-like properties, such as stretchability, breathability, and conformability. The above challenge is addressed by fabricating a record high-performing wearable, breathable and stretchable nanogenerator based on polarization-induced ultra-stretchable EVA/Nylon-11 micro/nano-fibers (1250%) as the triboelectric positive layer and polarization-induced ultra-stretchable EVA/PVDF/BA2CsAgBiBr7 micro/nano-fibers (1480%) as the triboelectric negative layer. The excellent stretchability, breathability (1.15 Kgm-2d-1) and high energy-harvesting performance (650 V, 19.5 mu Acm-2) are attributed to the mechanically-socketed structure of the aligned stretchable EVA microfibers with the polarized nanofibers, thus providing a universal framework to fabricate stretchable piezoelectric fibers. Compositional engineering and polarization-induced surface charges coupled with triboelectric-induced surface charges enabled enhanced performance compared to other wearable stretchable textile-based nanogenerators. Additionally, it is utilized as a stretchable self-powered pressure sensor with an ultra-wide pressure sensing range (0.05-500 kPa) and high sensitivity (2.5 VkPa-1) even under deformations. To the best of the knowledge, PI-STENG stands out amongst various stretchable self-powered pressure sensors in terms of pressure sensing range and stretchability. The PI-STENG is demonstrated as a machine learning-enabled intellisensor for workforce safety monitoring. A novel approach of mechanically-socketing piezoelectric nanofibers with stretchable and aligned microfibers for the fabrication of high-performing wearable triboelectric nanogenerator with ultra-high stretchability and breathability. The network of stretchable piezoelectric fibers demonstrates high energy harvesting performance, stability and durability with large pressure sensing range and high sensitivity even under deformations. image