A multifunctional antibacterial PEDOT:PSS/PVA/pullulan-modified bandage for self-powered energy harvesting and motion...

The sustainable management of medical textile waste remains a global challenge. Here, we report a multifunctional platform based on expired cotton bandages modified with PEDOT:PSS/PVA/pullulan hybrid coatings, fabricated via a facile drop-casting method. The hybrid layer provides conformal coverage, strong inter-fiber adhesion, and stable conductive pathways, transforming insulating bandages into flexible and breathable electronic substrates. As a direct-current triboelectric nanogenerator (DC-TENG), the device achieves an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of ~0.7 V and a short-circuit current (Isc) above 80 μA under sliding motion. Through modular series integration, the output can be further increased, enabling the charging of energy storage components and supporting low-power, intermittent operation of electronic devices. As a strain sensor, the PEDOT:PSS-coated bandage exhibits a two-stage linear response with gauge factors of 0.68 (0-60%) and 3.05 (60-100%), coupled with excellent durability over 1000 strain cycles. The sensor demonstrates reliable real-time monitoring of diverse human motions, including subtle throat activity and large joint deformations. In addition, the modified fabric exhibits significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli CFT073, as confirmed by a colony-forming unit (CFU) assay after 18 h incubation, showing a pronounced reduction in bacterial colonies compared with the control fabric (**p < 0.001). This multifunctional approach not only converts medical textile waste into value-added wearable devices but also highlights a scalable strategy for sustainable, self-powered, antibacterial, and eco-friendly electronic systems.