Flexible alternating current electroluminescent devices integrated with high voltage triboelectric nanogenerators

Flexible alternating current electroluminescent (ACEL) devices have attracted growing interest as promising wearable displays for their uniformity of light emission, low power consumption, and excellent reliability. However, the requirement of high-voltage power sources for driving ACEL devices greatly impedes their portability and commercialization. Here, we developed flexible ACEL devices integrated with high output-voltage triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) using easy and low-cost crumpled Al electrodes. The output voltage and current could reach as high as 490 V and 71.74 mu A, corresponding to the maximum instantaneous output power density of 1.503 mW cm(-2), which was demonstrated to power an integrated flexible ACEL patterned display. In addition, through signal acquisition and transmission, ACEL can display the compression frequency of TENG in real time. Such self-powered ACEL devices are very promising as flexible displays in wearable electronics.

Automated summary

Flexible alternating current electroluminescent (ACEL) devices have shown promise as wearable displays due to their uniform light emission, low power consumption, and reliability. However, their reliance on high-voltage power sources hinders their portability and commercialization. In this study, we integrated high output-voltage triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) into flexible ACEL devices using low-cost crumpled Al electrodes. The resulting devices achieved high output voltage and current, as well as a maximum instantaneous output power density, making them suitable for driving a flexible ACEL patterned display. Furthermore, the ACEL devices were able to display the compression frequency of the TENG in real time through signal acquisition and transmission.