Multi-stacked PDMS-based triboelectric generators with conductive textile for efficient energy harvesting

Abstract

We report triboelectric generators with multi-stacked layers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coated conductive textile (CT), and bare CT, fabricated by a simple and cost-effective methodology. Because PDMS is entirely covered over the upper and bottom surfaces of the CT substrate, both sides are utilized for the friction area of triboelectric charge generation, and the embedded CT can be used as an electrode. The bare CT, which is flexible and durable, also acts as a triboelectric material by rubbing the PDMS as well as an electrode. For a single-layer triboelectric generator, the averaged output voltage/current density of 8.12 V/25.77 nA cm⁻² were observed under the external pushing forces of 3.5–4 kgf during footsteps test. The multi-stacked triboelectric generators were prepared by overlapping the PDMS coated CTs and bare CTs repeatedly. Under the same test conditions, the output voltage/current density of the triple-stacked device was considerably increased, up to 2.88/2.45 times, because the overlapped CT and PDMS layers could be uniformly pressed with the increased friction area. The external load dependent output power of the multi-stacked triboelectric generators was also investigated.