Improved Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator Based on Tile-Nanostructure for Wireless Human Health Monitor

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as promising candidates for integrating with flexible electronics as self-powered systems owing to their intrinsic flexibility, biocompatibility, and miniaturization. In this study, an improved flexible TENG with a tile-nanostructured MXene/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composite electrode (MP-TENG) is proposed for use in wireless human health monitor. The multifunctional tile-nanostructured MXene/PMMA film, which is self-assembled through vacuum filtration, exhibits good conductivity, excellent charge capacity, and high flexibility. Thus, the MXene/PMMA composite electrode can simultaneously function as a charge-generating, charge-trapping, and charge-collecting layer. Furthermore, the charge-trapping capacity of a tile nanostructure can be optimized on the basis of the PMMA concentration. At a mass fraction of 4% PMMA, the MP-TENG achieves the optimal output performance, with an output voltage of 37.8 V, an output current of 1.8 mu A, and transferred charge of 14.1 nC. The output power is enhanced over twofold compared with the pure MXene-based TENG. Moreover, the MP-TENG has sufficient power capacity and durability to power small electronic devices. Finally, a wireless human motion monitor based on the MP-TENG is utilized to detect physiological signals in various kinematic motions. Consequently, the proposed performance-enhanced MP-TENG proves a considerable potential for use in health monitoring, telemedicine, and self-powered systems.