Harvesting Electrical Energy from High Temperature Environment by Aerogel Nano‐Covered Triboelectric Yarns

Abstract

Integrating power into fabrics offers exciting opportunities for wearable technologies, which has long remained challenging to make flexible, high temperature resistant textile‐based powers. Here, an all yarns‐based triboelectric nanogenerator (Y‐TENG) is proposed to harvest electrical energy and sense biological motion for temperatures between 25 and 400 °C, the upper limit of temperature is greatly improved. The Y‐TENG is capable of outputting a transferred charge density of 30 nC cm−2, the external load resistance is 180 MΩ, and the peak power reaches 0.17 mW, and the average response time is lower than 15 ms. Based on a simple processing strategy, when introducing silica aerogel during electrospinning of polyimide nano‐covered layer to make multi‐ply and stabilized triboelectric yarns. Unlike ordinary fibers and yarns, the core‐shell structured design also shows a high sensitivity to all kinds of mechanical triggering sources. Furthermore, a self‐powered movement characteristic monitoring system by coordinating smart protective suit is further developed to provide real‐time sensing and rescuing assistance. This aerogel nano‐covered triboelectric yarn has great application prospects for energy generation and motion detection in high‐temperature and many other high‐risk environments.

Electrospun polymer nanocomposites for thermal management: a review

“…When only considering to improve mechanical properties, 21 preparing fiber yarns is a reasonable strategy. Actually, with the deepening of research, more functions are integrated into yarns, such as electric wires, 22 yarns-based triboelectric nanogenerators, 23 etc. Finally, the micro/nanofiber structure with 3D networks is recommended.…”

Recent Advances in Wearable Tactile Sensors Based on Electrospun Nanofiber Platform

“…Functional materials with micro-/nano-structures can also be composited with the polymer nanofibers for triboelectric sensors. By co-electrospinning of silica aerogel and PI nano-covered layer to make multiply and stabilized yarns, Xing et al [114] developed an all-yarn-based TENG to harvest energy and sense biological motion (Figure 10b). The device was capable of outputting a large transferred charge density (30 nC cm −2 ), a high peak power (0.17 mW with external load of 180 MΩ), and a fast average response time (<15 ms).…”

“…Adapted with permission. [ 114 ] Copyright 2022, Advanced Functional Materials. d) Electrospun micro‐pyramid arrays combined with ultrathin, ultralight, gas‐permeable structures.…”

“…c) An all-yarn-based triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Adapted with permission [114]. Copyright 2022, Advanced Functional Materials.…”

A Machine‐Braided Flame‐Retardant Triboelectric Yarn/Textile for Fireproof Application

“…to form the surface layer. [ 23,30–32 ] Cheng et al. prepared a cotton‐based FRT‐TENG by using the LBL self‐assembly method, during which process a polyethyleneimine & melamine/phytic acid layer was covered onto the cotton textile substrate and formed a flame‐retardant external surface.…”