Self-Powered Fire Safety Indicator Based on Fabric-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Abstract

Fire-retardant materials-based triboelectric nanogenerators (F-TENG) are gaining significant interest for their dual roles in energy harvesting and self-powered sensing, especially suited for areas with limited electricity access or during fire emergencies. Despite this, there has been limited exploration of F-TENGs, such as the availability of new fire retardant materials and fire-related scenarios, where multifunctional and adaptable devices are increasingly in demand. This study first introduces a flame-retardant material based on white glue and baking soda coated upon the cotton cloth and further, it is used as an effective triboelectric material in F-TENG operating in the single-electrode mode. The treated fabric is obtained by simple coating and drying techniques, which illustrates that cotton fabrics demonstrate excellent self-extinguishing properties. The F-TENG achieves a maximum peak power of 61 μW at a tapping frequency of 2 Hz. The output of TENG maintains 80% of its original electrical voltage output (60–47 V) after burning 6 times. The F-TENG is subsequently utilized to create a self-powered sensor for fire indication, enhancing fire rescue and evacuation efforts. This invention expands the application of self-powered technology for preventing building fires, which could lead to the creation of urban ecosystems and improvements in smart structures. © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.