Recent progress on textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG) are one of the most promising candidates for powering wearable and portable devices. Example TENGs have demonstrated flexibility, light weight, biocompatibility, versatility and good performance. Textiles are a potential substrate onto, or into, which wearable technology is increasingly being incorporated but supplying power remains an enduring challenge. TENGs are a potential textile based mechanical energy harvesting power supply and there has been an increasing effort to combine TENGs with fabrics. A significant challenge exists in the integration without losing the performance of the TENG or the original properties (appearance, breathability, washability, and durability) and feel of the textile. Various approaches towards the realisation of textile-based TENGs (T-TENGs) have been demonstrated. Depending on its structure, T-TENGs can be divided into two main types, fabric-based TENG and fibre-based TENG. The fabric-based TENG is composed of conventional and/or modified fabrics, which serve as a substrate and/or a triboelectric material. The fibre-based TENG is fabricated as a single fibre or a collection of interlaced fibres. This paper provides an up to date review of the progress in the research of T-TENGs. The paper covers the basic operating principles, possible operation modes, textile manufacturing methods, material selections, T-TENG fabrication process, surface modification and structural designs. Issues, such as standardised measurement parameters, the challenges and limitations of T-TENG are discussed.