Continuous fabrication of triboelectric/piezoelectric hybrid yarns with high output for self-powered wearable sensors

Yarn-based nanogenerators exhibit potential for use in self-powered wearable sensors. However, their current limitations include intricate manufacturing procedures, low electrical output performance, and a restricted level of reliability. Here, we present a continuous fabrication approach for fabricating triboelectric/piezoelectric hybrid nanogenerators utilizing yarns with integrated exceptional performance. The continuous production process exhibits the attributes of one-step forming, wherein piezoelectric nanofibers and triboelectric silicone rubber covering are simultaneously and effectively attached to a single yarn to create yarn-based hybrid nanogenerators. The hybrid yarn demonstrates exceptional electrical output performance by harnessing the advantages of both piezoelectric and triboelectric effects, resulting in a power density of 26.72 m W/m 2 at 17 MU. Demonstrating high sensitivity, stability, and mechanical resilience, yarn-based hybrid nanogenerators are suitable for self-powered wearable sensors, enabling applications in Morse code recognition and gait detection. This innovation in yarn-based nanogenerators broadens their scope, heralding new possibilities in the energy-harvesting device and wearable technology. (c) 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.