Self-Powered Sterilization System for Wearable Devices Based on Biocompatible Materials and Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Abstract

Wearable electronics with multifunction and convenience are entering a period of rapid development. However, the longer people wear electronic devices, the easier it is for bacteria to infect the skin. Sterilization of wearables has received little research, partly because mature high-voltage sterilization systems require energy sources, which will greatly restrict the large-scale applications of wearable devices. Therefore, a self-powered sterilization system with high comfort and safety is strongly appealing. To solve the above problem, we design a wearable, self-powered sterilization system with a biocompatible nano/microporous fiber triboelectric nanogenerator (NMF-TENG) as the energy source and an interdigital electrode for better bactericidal performance. Ag nanowires (AgNWs) and carbon nanotube (CNT) are added to the indium tin oxide (ITO)-based interdigital electrode to improve the conductivity, bending performance, and local electric field strength. Due to the tip effect, the local electric field of the electrode can be improved as high as 1 MV m –1, which can kill the bacteria. The system can achieve a long-term sterilization rate of up to 90%, which has great application potential in the sterilization direction of wearable electronic devices.