Largely Improving the Output Performance of Stretchable Triboelectric Nanogenerators via Thermo‐Compressive Technology

Abstract

Abstract Stretchable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are widely applied in wearable and implantable electronics, smart medical devices, and soft robots. However, it is still a challenge to produce stretchable TENGs with both exceptional elasticity and output performance, which limits their application scope. In this work, high‐performance stretchable TENGs are developed through a thermo‐compression (TC) fabrication process. In particular, a poly(vinylidene fluoride) film is compactly bound to the elastic thermoplastic polyurethane substrate, which inherits excellent stretchability with a strain of up to 815%. Furthermore, owing to the large surface area, tight contact, and effective vertical transport of tribo‐induced charges between the coupled fibrous tribo‐layer and soft substrate, the TC composite film‐based TENGs exhibit a greater output (2‐4 times) than unlaminated film‐based TENGs. Additionally, the broad universality of this method is proven using various tribo‐ and substrate materials. The proposed technology provides a novel and effective approach to conjointly boost the output and stretchability of TENGs, showing encouraging application prospects in self‐powered wearable and flexible electronics.