High output direct-current power fabrics based on the air breakdown effect

Energy-harvesting textiles based on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have attracted intense attention, due to their broad potential applications in wearable electronics. However, the bottlenecks of limited and alternating current electrical output have greatly hindered the development of textile TENGs. Here, by simply and easily coating two electrodes on the top side (breakdown electrode) and bottom side (friction electrode) of a polyester–cotton fabric, a light-weight, highly flexible and wearable fabric-based direct current TENG (FDC-TENG) with high power output is developed. Various structural parameters and environmental factors are thoroughly and systematically explored for comprehensive understanding of the FDC-TENG. The surface charges induced by triboelectrification can be unidirectionally and efficiently harvested through the conductive plasma channel caused by air breakdown, which endows the finger-sized FDC-TENG with the abilities to light up 99 bulbs and 1053 LEDs and drive watches and calculators easily and directly without rectifying or capacitor charging. This work may provide a paradigm shift for high output direct-current power fabrics and expand their scope for application in wearable electronics.