Optimization strategy of triboelectric nanogenerators for high humidity environment service performance

Abstract

With triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) introduced in 2012, they have emerged in the fields of flexible wearable electronics, portable energy, Internet of Things (IoTs), and biomedicine by virtue of their lightweight, high-energy conversion, low cost, and material selectivity. However, as the application areas of TENGs increase, ambient humidity and human movement generate sweat and moisture that can lead to a decrease in output, so exploring how TENGs operate in high humidity environments is critical to their long-term development. In this paper, different strategies are introduced to enhance TENGs in high humidity environments, such as encapsulation, construction of hydrophobic/superhydrophobic surfaces, and hydrogen bonding enhancement, and discuss the applications of humidity-resistant TENGs in fields such as self-powered sensors, energy harvesters, and motions, and so forth. Finally, we explore the future directions and routes for the development of humidity-resistant TENGs.