Flexible Textile Direct-Current Generator Based on the Tribovoltaic Effect at Dynamic Metal-Semiconducting Polymer Interfaces

Generation of direct current (DC) from mechanical kinetic energies is crucial for realizing self-powered wearable electronics. Here, we report a flexible textile-based DC generator based on the tribovoltaic effect at a dynamic metal-semiconducting polymer interface. The tribovoltaic effect refers to a phenomenon in which an energy “quantum” is released once an atom–atom bond is formed at the dynamic interface of two contacting materials; such released “binding” energy excites electron–hole pairs at metal–semiconductor interfaces or semiconductor–semiconductor pn junctions. This textile DC generator, based on the dynamic Schottky junction between an Al slider and a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-coated textile, can output a voltage of approximately 0.45–0.70 V. The voltage and current can be increased by simply connecting multiple generators in series or in parallel. Seven generators in series can power an electronic watch constantly without any conditioning circuit. These findings offer an efficient strategy for harvesting mechanical energies and realizing self-powered electronics.