Self-powered flexible triboelectric touch sensor based on micro-pyramidal PDMS films and cellulose acetate nanofibers

In the modern world of small-scale electronics, touch sensors unfold many numerous novel interaction techniques and other possibilities. Self-powered and flexible sensors are the future and this is where triboelectric nanogenerator-based touch sensors come. Here, surface engineering provided sufficient output performance such as 25 V, 0.4 mA/m2, and 16 mW/m2, for a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and Cellulose Acetate based TENG with micrometer separation distance. Additionally, the effect of surface modification is also quantified for better understanding. Moreover, the fabricated TENG device with micropatterned contact surfaces shows excellent tactile sensing capability of detecting and distinguishing forces of ∼0.05 N and exhibited a sensitivity of ∼3.67 V/N for small forces (<1 N).