Textile-type triboelectric nanogenerator using Teflon wrapping wires as wearable power source

Wearable electronic devices such as mobile communication devices, portable computers, and various sensors are the latest significant innovations in technology which use the Internet of Things (IoT) to track personal data. Wearable energy harvesters are required to supply electricity to such devices for the convenience of users. In this study, a textile-type triboelectric nanogenerator (T-TENG), produced using commercial electrode fibers, was fabricated to generate electrical energy using external mechanical stimulation. The commercial fiber was an electrode coated with Teflon on a copper wire with a diameter of ~ 320 μm. Using this commercial fiber, a T-TENG was easily fabricated by knitting and weaving. The performance of the T-TENG was analyzed to understand the effect of force and frequency. It was observed that the performance of the T-TENG did not degrade even under harsh conditions and treatment. The textile-type TENG possessed an energy harvesting capability with an output power density of ~ 0.36 W/m² and could operate electronic devices by charging a capacitor.