Introduction

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as a promising technology for energy harvesting and self-powered sensing, driven by their potential to convert mechanical energy into electricity through the triboelectric effect and electrostatic induction. This mini-review summarizes the advancements in TENG technology over the past five years, focusing on fundamental understanding, material development, and application-oriented research.

Fundamental Understanding and Performance Enhancement

A significant area of research focuses on understanding the fundamental principles governing TENG operation and developing strategies to enhance their performance. Zhong Lin Wang's group has been at the forefront of this effort. In 2020, they quantified the triboelectric series of inorganic non-metallic materials, providing a valuable reference for material selection (Haiyang Zou et al., 2020, Nature Communications). They also quantified electron transfer in liquid-solid contact electrification and the formation of the electric double layer (Shiquan Lin et al., 2020, Nature Communications). Further work by Xiangyu Chen and Zhong Lin Wang's group elucidated the contributions of different functional groups to the contact electrification of polymers (Shuyao Li et al., 2020, Advanced Materials). This fundamental understanding is crucial for rational material design.

Researchers have also focused on optimizing TENG design and operation. Hengyu Guo's group quantified contact status and developed an air-breakdown model to maximize charge density in charge-excitation TENGs (Yike Liu et al., 2020, Nature Communications). Chenguo Hu's group explored the charge space-accumulation effect to boost the output performance of sliding mode TENGs (Wencong He et al., 2020, Nature Communications). Yunlong Zi's group achieved ultrahigh instantaneous power density by leveraging the opposite-charge-enhanced transistor-like TENG (OCT-TENG) (Hao Wu et al., 2021, Nature Communications). More recently, Wenlin Liu and Chenguo Hu's group achieved remarkable charge density via self-polarization of polar high-k material in a charge-excitation TENG (Huiyuan Wu et al., 2022, Advanced Materials). Jinping Qu's group fabricated triboelectric polymer films via repeated rheological forging for ultrahigh surface charge density (Zhaoqi Liu et al., 2022, Nature Communications). Peng Wang's group developed strategies to enhance TENG output by reducing triboelectric charge decay (Congyu Wang et al., 2022, Advanced Materials; Congyu Wang et al., 2023, Advanced Materials). Yi Xi's group focused on overall performance improvement of direct-current TENGs by addressing charge leakage and ternary dielectric evaluation (Qianying Li et al., 2023, Energy & Environmental Science). Zhong Lin Wang's group also developed standardized measurement of dielectric materials’ intrinsic triboelectric charge density through the suppression of air breakdown (Di Liu et al., 2022, Nature Communications).

Material Innovation for Enhanced Functionality

Another significant research thrust involves the development of novel materials for TENGs, focusing on enhancing performance, durability, and functionality. Jae Yeong Park's group explored electrospun PVDF-TrFE/MXene nanofiber mats for smart home appliances (S M Sohel Rana et al., 2021, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces). Zhong Lin Wang's group developed a flexible multifunctional TENG based on MXene/PVA hydrogel (Xiongxin Luo et al., 2021, Advanced Functional Materials). Dong-Weon Lee's group investigated PLL surface-modified Nylon 11 electrospun as a highly tribo-positive frictional layer (Prasad Gajula et al., 2023, Nano Energy). Shuangxi Nie's group has extensively explored cellulosic materials, developing advanced cellulosic triboelectric materials via dielectric modulation (Guoli Du et al., 2023, Advanced Science), cellulose template-based TENGs for self-powered sensing at high humidity (Wanglin Zhang et al., 2023, Nano Energy), a tough monolithic-integrated triboelectric bioplastic (Yuzheng Shao et al., 2023, Advanced Materials; Yuzheng Shao et al., 2024, Advanced Materials), lightweight and strong cellulosic triboelectric materials enabled by cell wall nanoengineering (Xiuzhen Li et al., 2024, Nano Letters), multiscale structural triboelectric aerogels (Jiamin Zhao et al., 2024, Advanced Functional Materials), high strength and toughness polymeric triboelectric materials enabled by dense crystal-domain cross-linking (Chenchen Cai et al., 2024, Nano Letters), directional moisture-wicking triboelectric materials (Zhiwei Wang et al., 2024, Nano Letters), and phase-directed assembly of triboelectric nanopaper for self-powered noncontact sensing (Jinlong Wang et al., 2024, Nano Letters). Zhao-Xia Huang, Xiangyu Chen, and Jinping Qu's group developed acid-doped pyridine-based polybenzimidazole as a positive triboelectric material with superior charge retention capability (Xinglin Tao et al., 2024, ACS Nano).

Application-Specific TENG Development

The versatility of TENGs has led to their exploration in a wide range of applications. Jie Wang's and Zhong Lin Wang's groups have demonstrated TENGs for intelligent sports (Jianjun Luo et al., 2020, Advanced Materials; Jianjun Luo et al., 2021, Advanced Materials), wind energy harvesting for intelligent high-speed train systems (Chuguo Zhang et al., 2021, ACS Energy Letters), all-weather droplet-based energy harvesting (Xuelian Wei et al., 2021, ACS Nano), and marine exploitation (Chuguo Zhang et al., 2023, Advanced Energy Materials). Tao Jiang's and Zhong Lin Wang's groups have developed TENGs for blue energy harvesting (Tao Jiang et al., 2020, Advanced Energy Materials), wind and water energy harvesting for smart agriculture (Pengfei Chen et al., 2020, Advanced Energy Materials; Pengfei Chen et al., 2021, Advanced Energy Materials), and wind-driven rotary TENGs for smart farming (Jiajia Han et al., 2021, Advanced Functional Materials). Yuanjie Su's and Jun Chen's groups demonstrated self-powered respiration monitoring (Yuanjie Su et al., 2021, Advanced Materials). Aifang Yu's, Lingyu Wan's, and Junyi Zhai's groups developed flexible and stretchable TENG fabric for biomechanical energy harvesting and self-powered human motion monitoring (Meng He et al., 2021, Nano Energy). Xuecheng Qu's, Zhuo Liu's, Puchuan Tan's, Dan Luo's, and Zhou Li's groups developed an artificial tactile perception smart finger for material identification (Xuecheng Qu et al., 2022, Science Advances). Zhong Lin Wang's group also demonstrated decoding lip language using triboelectric sensors with deep learning (Yijia Lu et al., 2022, Nature Communications). Kai Dong's and Zhong Lin Wang's groups developed a self-powered body motion sensing network integrated with multiple triboelectric fabrics for biometric gait recognition and auxiliary rehabilitation training (Chuanhui Wei et al., 2023, Advanced Functional Materials). Lulu Zu's, Jing Wen's, Baodong Chen's, and Zhong Lin Wang's groups developed a multiangle, self-powered sensor array for monitoring head impacts (Lulu Zu et al., 2023, Science Advances). Fei Wu's, Zhong Lin Wang's, and Hengyu Guo's groups developed an acoustically enhanced triboelectric stethoscope for ultrasensitive cardiac sounds sensing and disease diagnosis (Xindan Hui et al., 2024, Advanced Materials). Zhanyong Hong's, Tao Jiang's, and Zhong Lin Wang's groups developed a fluid oscillation-driven bi-directional air turbine TENG for ocean wave energy harvesting (Shaohui Yang et al., 2024, Advanced Energy Materials). Jin Woo Bae's group developed a triboelectric touch sensor array system for energy generation and self-powered human-machine interfaces (Prasad Gajula et al., 2024, Nano Energy). Ying-Chih Lai's group developed large-area, untethered, metamorphic, and omnidirectionally stretchable multiplexing self-powered triboelectric skins (Beibei Shao et al., 2024, Nature Communications). Hualing He's group developed a biodegradable and flame-retardant cellulose-based wearable TENG for mechanical energy harvesting in firefighting clothing (Zhicai Yu et al., 2024, Carbohydrate Polymers).

Conclusion

The field of TENGs has witnessed significant progress in the past five years. Research has deepened our understanding of the fundamental mechanisms, leading to innovative materials and designs that enhance performance and expand the range of applications. From energy harvesting to self-powered sensing, TENGs are poised to play a crucial role in the development of sustainable and intelligent technologies. Further research is needed to address challenges such as long-term stability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness to fully realize the potential of TENGs.

✨ About This POST
This mini-review post was generated through Scinapse. Scinapse provides reliable research trend analysis using citation analysis and AI technology.
Check out the trends in your field too!
Get started at https://scinapse.io