Reliable operation of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) as self-powered sensors in harsh environments is often compromised by the flammability and humidity sensitivity of conventional triboelectric materials. Herein, we report a robust fabric-based TENG for simultaneous fire hazard warning and human motion monitoring. This was achieved by dip-coating polyester (PET) fabric with P(DPPO-Si), a novel multifunctional adhesive that imparts exceptional flame retardancy (limiting oxygen index of 31.5%) and chemical corrosion resistance. The resulting TENG delivers a high output of 200 V and 25 μA and exhibits excellent environmental tolerance, maintaining stable signal output under extreme conditions including high temperature (110 °C), high humidity (85% RH), exposure to a broad pH range, and repeated washing, with no degradation after 27,700 cycles. We validated its utility through two prototype applications: a parallel-structured TENG powering a sports watch, and an arc-shaped TENG functioning as a self-powered fire alarm capable of simultaneous motion monitoring. This work establishes a versatile strategy for engineering durable, multifunctional self-powered sensors, advancing their potential applications in personal safety and intelligent fire protection systems.
Zhao et al. (Mon,) studied this question.