Bifunctional binder-free ZnCuSe₂ nanostructures/carbon fabric-based triboelectric nanogenerator and supercapacitor for self-charging hybrid power system application

Herein, we report a simple self-charging hybrid power system (SCHPS) based on binder-free zinc copper selenide nanostructures (ZnCuSe₂ NSs) deposited carbon fabric (CF) (i.e., ZnCuSe₂/CF), which is used as an active material in the fabrication of supercapacitor (SC) and triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). At first, a binder-free ZnCuSe₂/CF was synthesized via a simple and facial hydrothermal synthesis approach, and the electrochemical properties of the obtained ZnCuSe₂/CF were evaluated by fabricating a symmetric quasi-solid-state SC (SQSSC). The ZCS-2 (Zn:Cu ratio of 2:1) material deposited CF-based SQSSC exhibited good electrochemical properties, and the obtained maximum energy and power densities were 7.5 Wh kg^–1 and 683.3 W kg^–1, respectively with 97.6 % capacitance retention after 30,000 cycles. Furthermore, the ZnCuSe₂/CF was coated with silicone rubber elastomer using a doctor blade technique, which is used as a negative triboelectric material in the fabrication of the multiple TENG (M-TENG). The fabricated M-TENG exhibited excellent electrical output performance, and the robustness and mechanical stability of the device were studied systematically. The practicality and applicability of the proposed M-TENG and SQSSC were systematically investigated by powering various low-power portable electronic components. Finally, the SQSSC was combined with the M-TENG to construct a SCHPS. The fabricated SCHPS provides a feasible solution for sustainable power supply, and it shows great potential in self-powered portable electronic device applications.