Bio‐Based and Recyclable Self‐Healing Elastomer for the Application of Self‐Powered Triboelectric Nanogenerator in Low‐Temperature

Abstract

AbstractThe cracks in flexible triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) cannot naturally repair themselves during low‐temperature operation, which significantly restricts their practical applications. Yet, the development of elastomers capable of self‐repair at low temperatures has remained a formidable challenge. In this study, a dual dynamic cross‐linking network using multiple hydrogen bonds and β‐hydroxy esters is constructed to fabricate a fully bio‐based elastomer known as PLMBE. This elastomer can be stretched up to an impressive 1200% of its original length and possesses a remarkable autonomous self‐healing capability even under harsh conditions, including low temperatures (−10 °C, 12 h, with a 75% efficiency rate) and exposure to supercooled, high‐concentration saline (10% NaCl solution at −10 °C, 12 h, with a 64% efficiency rate). These remarkable properties are attributed to the elastomer's low glass transition temperature (Tg) of −30 °C and the abundance of hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular interactions. Importantly, this elastomer is highly suitable as a triboelectric layer for creating bio‐based TENG (Bio‐TENG) . These results demonstrate that Bio‐TENG can achieve an impressive output power density of 2.4 W m−2, and the output voltage recovers up to 95% after self‐healing at −10 °C. Consequently, these bio‐based elastomers have promising applications in various fields, including energy storage devices.