• • Two-step solvent displacement (glycerol then water) boosts output current by over 100 times compared to pure PVA hydrogel and PVA-Gly organohydrogel, achieving power density increases up to two orders of magnitude.
• • The treated MEGs demonstrate enhanced long-term durability, with glycerol improving water retention capacity, addressing the instability issue of hydrogels in ambient conditions.
• • As a self-powered respiratory sensor, the MEG exhibits frequency-dependent response times (0.23–1.15 s) and recovery times (0.33–1.83 s) across breathing rates of 0.24–1.4 Hz, enabling precise monitoring.
• • The MEG functions as a non-contact humidity sensor, showing significant relative current changes when a bare finger approaches, but negligible response with a nitrile-gloved finger, confirming moisture-specific detection.