Intrinsic Flame Retardant Triboelectric Nanogenerators Based on Liquid-Crystalline Copolyesters

Abstract

The development of intrinsic flame retardant triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) employed at extremely high temperatures and directly in contact with flames attracts researchers’ attention but is tough to achieve. In this work, we develop a fire-resistant and self-extinguishing TENG (FRTENG) that can be used as a power generator in extreme application scenarios, for example, firefighting, personal protection, or applying in extreme high-temperature conditions. The FRTENG profits by the extraordinary thermal characteristics of liquid-crystalline polyarylate copolymerized with poly(ethylene terephthalate), whose flame retardancy, antidripping, and triboelectric properties have been significantly enhanced. This FRTENG is fire-resistant and antidripping after 15 s of trying, while the traditional triboelectric materials were totally burned by flames under the same circumstances. Our FRTENG can maintain over 53% of original electrical output performance even after 15 s of combustion (∼500 °C) while providing excellent flame retardancy missing in the existing TENGs. It is believed that the fire-retardant and self-extinguishing FRTENG will be a path-breaking device for lifesaving wearable applications.