MXene-Reinforced Spiral Yarns for Multimodal Triboelectric Nanogenerators and Wearable Interactive Interfaces

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as promising sustainable energy harvesters, leveraging their unique mechanoelectrical conversion capability. To optimize energy conversion efficiency, mechanical compliance, and operational stability, novel structural engineering is essential. Here, a wearable multimodal TENG system incorporating MXene-reinforced spiral yarn, fabricated via controlled MXene deposition and precise spiral winding, is demonstrated. The electronegative properties of MXene are systematically investigated through quantitative analysis of surface electrostatic potential and comprehensive evaluation of device output characteristics. The MXene-reinforced spiral yarn serves as a multifunctional electrode, enabling three distinct operational modalities of lateral sliding mode for distance measurement, internal contact-separation mode for vibration detection, and external single-electrode mode for energy harvesting. Notably, the single-electrode configuration demonstrates superior performance, capable of illuminating 104 commercial light-emitting diodes and powering electronic devices. Furthermore, the MXene-reinforced spiral yarn can be configured into a 3 x 3 crossbar-structured tactile sensor array for human-computer interaction applications. The proposed MXene-reinforced spiral yarn architecture presents substantial advancements in flexible energy harvesting systems, self-powered human-machine interfaces, and multifunctional sensory platforms.