Scalable fabrication of stretchable and washable textile triboelectric nanogenerators as constant power sources for wearable electronics

The textile-based triboelectric nanogenerator (tTENG) is one of the most promising energy harvesting devices for realizing self-powered smart textiles and wearable electronics. Herein, we report a scalable machine-knitting fabrication of stretchable, washable and breathable tTENGs for harvesting human motion energies. A plating stitch technique is employed to fabricate tTENGs using various common yarn materials and working in different modes (coplanar sliding mode and contact-separation mode). The tTENG can output voltage up to 232 V and power density up to 66.13 mW/m2. Furthermore, it can constantly power different wearable electronics by integrating with a small-size power management module, which converts the irregular AC output to a stable DC output and improves the energy utilization of tTENG. The stretchability, washability and air permeability of the tTENG are also demonstrated. These findings provide a practically viable textile-based power source that holds great promise in future self-powered wearable electronics and smart textiles. [Display omitted] A stretchable, washable and breathable textile-based triboelectric nanogenerator is fabricated by a scalable knitting method for harvesting human motion energies, which can provide continuous power to different small electronics with the aid of a small-sized power management module. This work presents a feasible and practical power alternative for wearable electronics and E-textiles. •Scalable fabrication of stretchable, washable and breathable textile triboelectric nanogenerators (tTENG) is demonstrated.•The tTENG generates high electrical outputs by harvesting human motion energies.•The tTENG can constantly power different wearable electronics with the aid of a small-size power management module.