Leaf Biowaste‐Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Clean, Affordable, and Sustainable Direct‐Current Energy Harvesting

ABSTRACT Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as promising candidates for sustainable energy conversion, capable of harvesting ambient mechanical energy for powering Internet of Things (IoT) networks, wireless devices, and electronic skins. In this work, a biomass‐derived and biodegradable leaf skeleton ( Ficus religiosa ) was employed as the triboelectric layer, coated with a poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) hybrid ink, to construct a direct‐current TENG (DC‐TENG) that supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy. The naturally evolved leaf vein architecture, characterized by hierarchical microchannels and high porosity, provides abundant frictional sites for charge generation while offering a renewable alternative to synthetic polymers, thereby reducing electronic waste and the associated carbon footprint. The resulting conductive leaf vein–based DC‐TENG achieved a peak current of 330 µA and open‐circuit voltage of 1.2 V, exhibiting competitive performance compared with other PEDOT:PSS‐based systems. Furthermore, integration of the conductive leaf TENG into a smart computer mouse demonstrated its feasibility for harvesting biomechanical energy during sliding motion. This prototype exemplifies a scalable, low‐cost, and environmentally responsible approach toward battery‐free human–computer interfaces and next‐generation eco‐friendly wearable electronics.