Triboelectric Nanogenerators as Power Sources for Chemical Sensors and Biosensors

Abstract

The recent advances of portable sensors in flexible and wearable form factors are drawing increasing attention worldwide owing to their requirement applications ranging from health monitoring to environment monitoring. While portability is critical for these applications, real-time data gathering also requires a reliable power supply�which is largely met with batteries. Besides the need for regular charging, the use of toxic chemicals in batteries makes it difficult to rely on them, and as a result different types of energy harvesters have been explored in recent years. Among these, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) provide a promising platform for harnessing ambient energy and converting it into usable electric signals. The ease of fabrication and possibility to develop TENGs with a diverse range of easily available materials also make them attractive. This review focuses on the TENG technology and its efficient use as a power source for various types of chemical sensors and biosensors. The paper describes the underlying mechanism, various modes of working of TENGs, and representative examples of their utilization as power sources for sensing a multitude of analytes. The challenges associated with their adoption for commercial solutions are also discussed to stimulate further advances and innovations.

Unveiling a robust and high-temperature-stable two-dimensional ZnAl layered double hydroxide nanosheet based flexible triboelectric nanogenerator

“…[4][5][6][7] In addition, the nanogenerators have been also used to power numerous sensor devices, including pressure-sensing, mercury detection, photodetector, humidity sensor, ion detection and health monitoring devices. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Recently, a stretchable and wearable coaxial triboelectric nanogenerator based on yarn and a mechanoluminescent ZnS : Cu/PDMS composite has been also reported for energy harvesting and the development of self-powered dualmode and long-term medical monitoring and humanmachine interaction systems. 14 Moreover, a self-powered triboelectric-mechanoluminescent electronic skin based nanogenerator has also been reported to discriminate multiple stimuli through a strain-sensitive mechanoluminescent spacer.…”

Crystalline Porous Material‐Based Nanogenerators: Recent Progress, Applications, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…In the past, several reviews summarized the theoretical modeling of TENG, [ 26 ] energy harvesting, [ 27,28 ] ocean energy harvesting, [ 29 ] based on materials; material choices, [ 30 ] graphene‐based, [ 31 ] bio‐inspired, [ 32 ] cellulose‐based, [ 33 ] textile‐based, [ 34 ] natural and eco‐friendly materials. [ 35 ] Few more reviews on application based TENGs; chemical sensors, [ 36 ] biosensor applications, [ 37 ] wearable applications, [ 38 ] and direct current output TENG. [ 39 ] Similarly, PENG‐based reviews are based on materials, [ 40 ] polymer composites, [ 41 ] piezoelectric fibers and nanowires, [ 42 ] organic–inorganic metal halide perovskites, [ 43 ] flexible polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), [ 44 ] nanostructured materials [ 45 ] and based on applications such as biomedical, [ 46 ] power generation, [ 47 ] and wearable electronic applications.…”

Recent developments in 2D materials for energy harvesting applications

“…The growing demand for flexible, portable, and wearable electronics has led to significant research in the development of a sustainable and easily integrable power source [1][2][3]. Li-ion batteries are currently dominating the market for portable power sources.…”