High-performance triboelectric nanogenerator powered flexible electroluminescence devices based on patterned laser-induced copper electrodes for visualized information interaction

Flexible electroluminescence (EL) devices with self-powered features are of significant interest in information interaction, wearable electronics, and artificial intelligence. However, one of the most challenging issues on realization of such devices is the development of a customizable metal electrode with a high-efficient, low-cost and facile manufacturing technique in comparison with traditional physical vapor deposition. Herein, high-performance triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) powered flexible EL devices are reported based on customizable patterned laser-induced copper (LIC) electrodes through a high-efficient, facile, and mask-free laser direct writing (LDW) technology. The fabricated LIC electrode endows high conductivity of 0.4 Ω/sq, mechanical durability, and long-term stability for over 20 weeks. Meanwhile, the LIC-based TENG is fabricated to harvest mechanical energy and can achieve high output performances to power various portable electronics. Moreover, the flexible self-powered EL devices based on letters “TENG”-patterned LIC electrodes can be lighted up by the LIC-based TENG operated at even 0.3 Hz for customizable patterned display. Furthermore, the quick response (QR) code-patterned self-powered EL device is developed to achieve real-time visualized information interaction by reading out of smartphone. Consequently, this work demonstrates the tremendous potential for energy harvesting, customizable patterned self-powered EL display, information interaction and other field.