Mechano-Tribo-Electrochromic Device: Polypyrrole/Poly(ethylene oxide)/2D-Manganese Oxide Nanosheet Hybrid Nanofiber-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator and Self-Powered Electrochromic Device

Self-powered systems, particularly those utilizing triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), have emerged in the field of electronics for their ability to continuously convert environmental mechanical energy into electrical energy, powering portable devices without external sources. This research demonstrates an energy harvester for self-powered electronics and a self-sustained electrochromic system combined with a TENG that harvests electricity from biomechanical motion. The electrochromic-material inspired TENG (EC-TENG) is fabricated using electrospun PPy/PEO/2D-MnO₂-based hybrid nanofiber mats and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The as-synthesized materials were confirmed by using multiple techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The fabricated EC-TENG with optimized 3.5 wt % 2D-MnO₂ has generated 93 V of open-circuit voltage and 1.7 μA of short-circuit current under hand-tapping force. The instantaneous power density was calculated as 50 μW/cm² at a load resistance of 40 MΩ. Stability studies for 2000 cycles are performed on the EC-TENG, which shows outstanding performance with minimal changes in voltage output. For practical applications, the EC-TENG has been used as a power supply for small-scale electronics such as LEDs and a digital hygrometer. Additionally, a mechano-tribo-electrochromic device has been developed, in which EC-TENG converts bio-mechanical energy (finger tapping) to electricity for powering the electrochromic device based on PPy/2D-MnO₂. This mechano-triboelectrochromic device exhibits monochromatic transitions, making it suitable for applications such as electronic billboards. This research work offers a flexible approach for the creation of future self-powered electronic systems while also advancing the field of self-sustaining electrochromic devices and highlighting the broader use of EC-TENGs in energy-harvesting technologies.