Mechanically Resilient, Self-Healing, and Environmentally Adaptable Eutectogel-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for All-Weather Energy Harvesting and Human–Machine Interaction

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have garnered significant attention for mechanical energy harvesting, self-powered sensing, and human–machine interaction. However, their performance is often constrained by materials that lack sufficient mechanical robustness, self-healing capability, and adaptability to environmental extremes. Eutectogels, with their inherent ionic conductivity, thermal stability, and sustainability, offer an appealing alternative as flexible TENG electrodes, yet they typically suffer from weak damage endurance and insufficient self-healing capability. To overcome these challenges, here, we introduce an internal-external dual reinforcement strategy (IEDRS) that enhances internal bonding dynamics within the eutectogel matrix, composed of glycidyl methacrylate and deep eutectic solvent, and integrates plant-derived lignin as an external reinforcer. Notably, the resultant eutectogel, named GLCL, exhibits appealing collection merits including superior mechanical robustness (1.53 MPa tensile stress and 1.85 MJ/m³ toughness), ultrastrong adhesion (4.76 MPa), high self-healing efficiency (84.7%), and significant environmental adaptability (−40 to 100 °C). These improvements ensure that the assembled triboelectric nanogenerator (GLCL-TENG) produces stable and robust electrical outputs, maintained even under dynamic and postdamage conditions. Additionally, the GLCL-TENG exhibits significant extreme environmental tolerance and durability, maintaining high and consistent electrical outputs over a wide temperature range (−40 to 100 °C) and throughout 10,000 cycles of repeated contact-separation. Leveraging these robust performances, the GLCL-TENG excels in all-weather biomechanical energy harvesting and accurate individual motion detection and functions as a self-powered interface for wireless vehicular control. This work presents a viable material design strategy for developing tough and self-healing eutectogel electrodes, emphasizing the potential application of TENGs in all-weather smart vehicles.