All‐Textile Triboelectric Generator Compatible with Traditional Textile Process

Abstract

All‐textile triboelectric generators (TEGs) allow for seamless integration of TEGs into garments, while maintaining the intrinsic flexibility, breathability, durability, and aesthetic value of normal textiles. However, practical approaches to construct fabric TEGs using traditional textile processes, such as sewing, weaving, and knitting, are underreported. In this work, two approaches to create an all‐textile TEG using straight‐forward textile manufacturing methods are presented. The first approach is to assemble two different cloths of opposite surface charge characteristics in a face‐to‐face configuration. A cotton fabric functionalized with fluoroalkylated polymeric siloxanes is necessary to generate usable triboelectric power output, when coupled with a pristine nylon cloth. The increased surface charge density by introducing fluoroalkyl groups is confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy measurements. The second approach is to weave or knit together two different conductive threads of opposite surface charge characteristics to create a monolithic triboelectric textile. The weave or knit pattern used to assemble this textile directly controls the density of contact points between the two types of threads, which, ultimately, determines the areal triboelectric power output of the textile. Overall, two feasible methods for constructing unprecedented textile‐based triboelectric generators with notable power output are presented.

Fiber/Fabric‐Based Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Flexible/Stretchable and Wearable Electronics and Artificial Intelligence

“…As illustrated in Figure g, a pressure‐sensitive triboelectric sensor for self‐powered foot pressure mapping and pulse signal detecting was fabricated by stacking a Al covered nylon fabric on the surface of a PVDF stitched PET fabric . Similarly, an all‐fabric‐based TENG was fabricated by sewing two different cloths with opposite surface charge characteristics in a face‐to‐face configuration (Figure h) . From the above introductions and analyses, it can be found that multilayer fabric stacking is a simple, convenient and efficient method to prepare fabric‐based TENGs.…”

“…h) An all‐textile TENG fabricated by assembling two different cloths of opposite surface charge characteristics in a face‐to‐face configuration. Adapted with permission . Copyright 2016, Wiley‐VCH.…”

Maximized Effective Energy Output of Contact‐Separation‐Triggered Triboelectric Nanogenerators as Limited by Air Breakdown

“…In another word, air breakdown effect is more prone to happen in CFT mode TENG compared to other modes TENG, resulting in suppressed output performance of CFT mode TENG. Considering low structural FOM of SEC mode TENG, CS mode TENG usually has the largest effective energy output in all the three modes of TENGs, with broad applications demonstrated …”

Flexible Timbo‐Like Triboelectric Nanogenerator as Self‐Powered Force and Bend Sensor for Wireless and Distributed Landslide Monitoring

“…Recently, the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), based on triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, was first reported by Wang and co‐workers in 2012; this can produce high electrical output in response to an external mechanical excitation, and thus bring about emerging techniques . Because of the advantages of high output, high energy conversion efficiency and inexpensive fabrication, TENGs have been used successfully for harvesting energy, such as from vibrations, acoustics, wind, water, and biomechanical . Furthermore, TENGs show great potential for applications as self‐powered sensors.…”