摘要
Deformable triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) show great promise for wearables and human–machine interfaces, but limited output and friction losses constrain their practical application. Here, we present a highly efficient untethered carbon-based non-contact hybrid nanogenerator that combines triboelectric and electromagnetic (EM) induction to convert biomechanical and ambient EM-waste energy into available electricity while enabling self-powered non-contact sensing. It uses graphite-like powder to capture and transport tribo-charges, and graphite-like textiles as tribo-charge reservoirs and stretchable conductors for EM induction. Notably, the use of recycled cotton fabric as a starting material underscores a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to material sourcing. The synergistic designs significantly enhance triboelectricity output (288 V, ± 1.23 μA, 4 Hz) and extend tribo-charge retention time beyond 10,000 min, achieving EM-induced electrification ( ± 15 V, ± 2.4 μA, 60 Hz). Even in non-contact condition, outputs remain 186.5 V (triboelectricity) and ± 9 V (EM waste) at a 1-mm distance, effectively enabling the powering of electronic devices. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported non-contact stretchable nanogenerator that can simultaneously harvest both energy types. Moreover, the performance and tribo-charge retention time are superior to those of reported carbon (graphene, graphene oxide, C60)-functionalized non-contact TENGs. Last, a multiplexing self-powered touchless gesture-sensing system is demonstrated. These advancements hold significant potential for real-world applications, such as energy-efficient wearables for health monitoring, touchless human-machine interfaces in robotics, and sustainable self-powered sensors for environmental monitoring, offering efficient material and structural strategies for hybrid energy harvesting and sensing in next-generation devices.
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•The hybrid “non-contact” triboelectric-and-EM nanogenerator can harvest two types of waste energy: biomechanical energy (from human body) and EM pollution (from surrounding appliances).•The use of carbon-based materials derived from carbonized textiles is scalable, industrially-friendy, and cost-effective.•The technology for harvesting EM-waste energy can be realized using non-metallic materials.