MXene enhanced self-powered alternating current electroluminescence devices for patterned flexible displays

Patterned displays with self-powered features have been crucial for event-driven information communication and exchange in the Internet of things (IoT) applications. Here, we present a MXene enhanced alternating current electroluminescence (ACEL) device array integrated with the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as the self-powered patterned display. The ACEL device is intrinsically transparent and stretchable. And its emission intensity can be enhanced by 500% through filling 0.25 wt% MXene in the polymer matrix of emission layer, in accordance with the finite element analysis simulation of the electric field strength with various MXene loading. Finally, a patterned ACEL device is constructed and powered with a simple TENG for patterned display. This self-powered patterned ACEL display has considerable potential for applications of human-healthcare monitoring, information-security communication, and human-machine interface in IoT. MXene-enhanced self-powered ACEL devices have been obtained for patterned displays. By introducing 0.25 wt% of MXene into the PDMS matrix, the performance of the ACEL device can be enhanced by 500% while keep its excellent transparency. The fundamental enhancing mechanism is elaborated by the finite element analysis. The ACEL device could be powered by TENG for patterned displays and illumination, which provides a powerful platform to self-powered communication in Internet of Things. [Display omitted] •An intrinsically transparent and flexible self-powered ACEL system is fabricated by integrating TENG with ACEL devices.•The performance of self-powered ACEL is enhanced by 500 % by tuning the permittivity of the emission layer with MXene.•The ACEL array serves as a self-powered patterned display, providing powerful platform for wearable communication in IoT.