Recent advances in cellulose-based flexible triboelectric nanogenerators

Abstract

The combination of the functional materials developed by natural polymer cellulose and the triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) gives birth to the cellulose-based TENGs. The advent of this kind of green energy harvesting devices not only broadens the path of green new materials in the energy industry, but also gives more development potential to TENGs. Herein, recent research progress of cellulosic functional materials in the field of TENGs is systematically summarized, including the paper-based materials, micro/nano cellulose and cellulose derivatives for TENGs. Combined with the structure-property-application relationships of cellulose-based TENG, we consider the main aspects affecting the properties of each cellulose-based TENG and simultaneously discuss their corresponding potential applications. On this basis, from the optimization of cellulosic materials (triboelectric polarity, morphology and microstructure) and TENG’s structure, various strategies and methods to improve the electricity generation performance are also summarized. In view of the serious problems and challenges of cellulose-based TENGs in the aspects of processability, stability and application, we also proposal some effective countermeasures and more novel explorations. Finally, the research trend of cellulose-based TENGs and its future prospects as a kind of multi-functional green energy flexible equipment are presented. • The recent advances of cellulose-based functional materials in the field of TENGs are overviewed. • The strategies for adjusting structure-property-application of cellulose-based TENGs are analyzed in detail. • Key methods to improve the electricity generation performance of cellulose-based TENGs are summarized. • Effective measures and novel explorations are proposed to meet the challenges in processability, stability and application.