Self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea) for mechanically and environmentally stable, high performance, and versatile fully self-healing triboelectric nanogenerators

Fully self-healing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) capable of recovering damaged triboelectric layers and electrodes are highly desirable as power supplies or self-powered sensors for next-generation electronics. However, the viable application of fully self-healing TENGs is limited due to their poor mechanical and environmental stabilities and output performances. These arise due to the poor mechanical strength , chemical stability, and triboelectric properties exhibited by the triboelectric layers. Herein, a self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea) with high mechanical strength, chemical stability, excellent healing efficiency, and outstanding triboelectric performance is synthesized. By sandwiching the self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea) with a self-healing ionogel, a fully self-healing TENG named FSI-TENG is obtained with an output power density of 2.75 W m −2 , which is the highest compared with other reported fully self-healing TENG. Due to the mechanical strength and chemical stability of the self-healing fluorinated poly(urethane urea), the FSI-TENG exhibits a reliable electrical output performance after being stored at − 30 °C and 90 °C, immersed in corrosive solutions, bent, trampled, and even ran over by a car. Thus, the FSI-TENG can be used for high-output energy generation and as a self-powered sensor to detect water leaks, body movements, and the speed of a car. After damage, the FSI-TENG can be healed to completely restore its electrical output performance, mechanical properties , and environmental stability, ensuring its reliability and service life.