Material aspects of triboelectric energy generation and sensors

Abstract The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a new type of energy generator first demonstrated in 2012. TENGs have shown potential as power sources for electronic devices and as sensors for detecting mechanical and chemical stimuli. To date, studies on TENGs have focused primarily on optimizing the systems and circuit designs or exploring possible applications. Even though triboelectricity is highly related to the material properties, studies on materials and material designs have been relatively less investigated. This review article introduces recent progress in TENGs, by focusing on materials and material designs to improve the electrical output and sensing performance. This article discusses the current technological issues and the future challenges in materials for TENG.