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

Abstract

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 µAcm−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.