Skin-touch-actuated textile-based triboelectric nanogenerator with black phosphorus for durable biomechanical energy harvesting

TLDR

Textiles that harvest biomechanical energy via triboelectric effects are sought for self‑powered wearables, yet making conformable, durable fabrics with high outputs remains challenging. The authors propose a washable, skin‑touch‑actuated textile triboelectric nanogenerator to harvest energy from voluntary and involuntary body motions. They coat the textile with black phosphorus encapsulated in hydrophobic cellulose oleoyl ester nanoparticles, creating a synergistic electron‑trapping layer that ensures long‑term reliability and high triboelectricity under extreme deformation, washing, and environmental exposure. The device delivers high output of approximately 250–880 V and 0.48–1.1 µA cm⁻², demonstrating durable performance.

Abstract

Textiles that are capable of harvesting biomechanical energy via triboelectric effects are of interest for self-powered wearable electronics. Fabrication of conformable and durable textiles with high triboelectric outputs remains challenging. Here we propose a washable skin-touch-actuated textile-based triboelectric nanogenerator for harvesting mechanical energy from both voluntary and involuntary body motions. Black phosphorus encapsulated with hydrophobic cellulose oleoyl ester nanoparticles serves as a synergetic electron-trapping coating, rendering a textile nanogenerator with long-term reliability and high triboelectricity regardless of various extreme deformations, severe washing, and extended environmental exposure. Considerably high output (~250-880 V, ~0.48-1.1 µA cm