Enhancing Triboelectric Nanogenerators Performance with MXene–Silicone Nanocomposites: A Leap Forward in Energy Harvesting and Touch-Sensitive Technologies

Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) have multifunctional applications in energy storage, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, sensors, and flexible electronics. However, utilization of MXenes for energy harvesting applications is limited and started recently with triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). This research paper introduces a simple and cost-effective approach for advancing the performance of TENGs by utilizing a MXene–silicone nanocomposite film and aluminum as a triboelectric pair. The electron-accepting nature of the silicone film was enhanced by adding triboelectric negative MXene. The fabricated MXene–silicone nanocomposite based TENG (MSN-TENG) exhibited an impressive power density of 14.9 W/m2, which is 3-fold higher than a pristine silicone-based TENG. Further, it was found that 6 wt % of MXene in silicone produces the highest output. The behavior of the TENG performance was explained based on the variation of dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the MXene–silicone nanocomposite films. Under constant mechanical stimulation, the high-output power TENG was capable of powering two LED lamps and a digital calculator. Finally, self-powered touch-sensing technology was developed, and it can send wireless notifications to mobile devices in the event of unauthorized access. These results demonstrate the potential of MXene–silicone nanocomposites as a material of choice for wearable electronics, self-powered systems, and touch-responsive technologies.