Work

Phenothiazine Dye‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Self‐Powered Electronic Devices and Electroluminescent Applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT The increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions has strengthened the search for new materials in triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) design to improve output and device performance. Although several materials have been studied, the triboelectric series remains limited to a few classes, including oxides, 2D materials, MOFs, and polymers. Developing efficient, low‐cost electron donors offers new hope for improving TENG performance. Most studies focus on polymers or inorganic compounds, with limited exploration of organic molecules with strong electron‐donating or acceptor properties. The present manuscript focuses on phenothiazine (PTZ) and its derivative, N‐ethyl‐phenothiazine (NEt‐PTZ), as a new class of triboelectric positive material for the TENGs. Utilizing their conjugated aromatic frameworks and the electron‐donating nature of nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms to improve charge transfer. A one‐step synthesis process for NEt‐PTZ demonstrated superior triboelectric performance compared to PTZ, producing an output of 450 V and 80 µA, owing to its enhanced electron‐donating properties. The device successfully powered wristwatches, calculators, and up to 400 LEDs, and exhibited stable operation over 10 000 mechanical cycles. This research not only broadens the triboelectric material library but also introduces a new category of dye‐based electron‐donating materials, offering a scalable and straightforward method to improve energy harvesting and self‐powered device applications.

Source: Advanced Sustainable Systems

DOI: 10.1002/adsu.202501504