Human walking-driven wearable all-fiber triboelectric nanogenerator containing electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride piezoelectric nanofibers

• Published in: Nano energy Vol. 14; pp. 226 - 235
• Main Authors: Huang, Tao, Wang, Cheng, Yu, Hao, Wang, Hongzhi, Zhang, Qinghong, Zhu, Meifang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2015
• Subjects: Electrospinning; Polyvinylidene fluoride; Triboelectricity; Wearable nanogenerators; Electrospinning; Wearable nanogenerators; Polyvinylidene fluoride; Triboelectricity
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.01.038

A simple-to-fabricate, high-performance, wearable all-fiber triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)-based insole composed of electrospun piezoelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers sandwiched between a pair of conducting fabric electrodes that effectively harvests energy during human walking is reported. The surface of the nanofibers is roughened with secondary nanostructure to enhance insole performance. The maximum output voltage, instantaneous power and output current from the insole reach 210V, 2.1mW and 45μA, respectively. The role of the piezoelectric effect in the electrospun PVDF nanofibers in this TENG-based insole is then systematically investigated. This device is shown to be a reliable power source that can be used to light up 214 serially connected light-emitting diodes directly. The soft fiber-based electric power generator demonstrated in this paper is capable of meeting the requirements of wearable devices because of its efficient energy-conversion performance, high durability, user comfort, and low cost. [Display omitted] •Nanofiber with secondary nanostructures improved the TENG performance.•The piezoelectric effect of PVDF nanofibers has been systematically investigated.•Breathable nanofiber meets the user requirements of flexibility and wearability.•Conductive wearable fabrics further enhanced the output power of the TENG.