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Lu P, Liao X, Guo X, Cai C, Liu Y, Chi M, Du G, Wei Z, Meng X, Nie S. Gel-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Flexible Sensing: Principles, Properties, and Applications. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2024; 16:206. [PMID: 38819527 PMCID: PMC11143175 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-024-01432-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
The rapid development of the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies has increased the need for wearable, portable, and self-powered flexible sensing devices. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) based on gel materials (with excellent conductivity, mechanical tunability, environmental adaptability, and biocompatibility) are considered an advanced approach for developing a new generation of flexible sensors. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent advances in gel-based TENGs for flexible sensors, covering their principles, properties, and applications. Based on the development requirements for flexible sensors, the working mechanism of gel-based TENGs and the characteristic advantages of gels are introduced. Design strategies for the performance optimization of hydrogel-, organogel-, and aerogel-based TENGs are systematically summarized. In addition, the applications of gel-based TENGs in human motion sensing, tactile sensing, health monitoring, environmental monitoring, human-machine interaction, and other related fields are summarized. Finally, the challenges of gel-based TENGs for flexible sensing are discussed, and feasible strategies are proposed to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lu
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101400, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofang Liao
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyao Guo
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenchen Cai
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhua Liu
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingchao Chi
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoli Du
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiting Wei
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangjiang Meng
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangxi Nie
- School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, People's Republic of China.
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Shan C, Li K, Cheng Y, Hu C. Harvesting Environment Mechanical Energy by Direct Current Triboelectric Nanogenerators. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 15:127. [PMID: 37209262 PMCID: PMC10200001 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
As hundreds of millions of distributed devices appear in every corner of our lives for information collection and transmission in big data era, the biggest challenge is the energy supply for these devices and the signal transmission of sensors. Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) as a new energy technology meets the increasing demand of today's distributed energy supply due to its ability to convert the ambient mechanical energy into electric energy. Meanwhile, TENG can also be used as a sensing system. Direct current triboelectric nanogenerator (DC-TENG) can directly supply power to electronic devices without additional rectification. It has been one of the most important developments of TENG in recent years. Herein, we review recent progress in the novel structure designs, working mechanism and corresponding method to improve the output performance for DC-TENGs from the aspect of mechanical rectifier, tribovoltaic effect, phase control, mechanical delay switch and air-discharge. The basic theory of each mode, key merits and potential development are discussed in detail. At last, we provide a guideline for future challenges of DC-TENGs, and a strategy for improving the output performance for commercial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuncai Shan
- School of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaixian Li
- School of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuntao Cheng
- School of Energy and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China.
| | - Chenguo Hu
- School of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, People's Republic of China.
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Lv H, Zong S, Li T, Zhao Q, Xu Z, Duan J. Room Temperature Ca 2+-Initiated Free Radical Polymerization for the Preparation of Conductive, Adhesive, Anti-freezing and UV-Blocking Hydrogels for Monitoring Human Movement. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:9434-9444. [PMID: 36936312 PMCID: PMC10018508 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c08097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, conductive hydrogels have received increasing attention as wearable electronics due to the electrochemical properties of conductive polymers combined with the softness of hydrogels. However, conventional hydrogels are complicated to prepare, require high temperature or UV radiation to trigger monomer polymerization, and are frozen at low temperatures, which seriously hinder the application of flexible wearable devices. In this paper, a conductive sensor integrating mechanical properties, adhesion, UV shielding, anti-dehydration, and anti-freeze was prepared based on Ca2+-initiated radical polymerization at room temperature using the synergy of sodium lignosulfonate, acrylamide (AM), and calcium chloride (CaCl2). Metal ions can activate ammonium persulfate to generate free radicals that allow rapid gelation of AM monomers at room temperature without external stimuli. Due to ionic cross-linking and non-covalent interaction, the hydrogels have good tensile properties (1153% elongation and 168 kPa tensile strength), high toughness (758 KJ·m-3), excellent adhesive properties (48.5 kPa), high ionic conductivity (7.2 mS·cm-1), and UV resistance (94.4%). CaCl2 can inhibit ice nucleation, so that the hydrogels have anti-dehydration and frost resistance properties and even at -80 °C can maintain flexibility, high conductivity, and adhesion. Assembled into a flexible sensor, it can sense various large and small movements such as compression, bending, and talking, which is a flexible sensing material with wide application prospects.
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Ren G, Hu Q, Ye J, Hu A, Lü J, Zhou S. All-Biobased Hydrovoltaic-Photovoltaic Electricity Generators for All-Weather Energy Harvesting. Research (Wash D C) 2022; 2022:9873203. [PMID: 36082209 PMCID: PMC9429978 DOI: 10.34133/2022/9873203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hygroelectricity generators (HEGs) utilize the latent heat stored in environmental moisture for electricity generation, but nevertheless are showing relatively low power densities due to their weak energy harvesting capacities. Inspired by epiphytes that absorb ambient moisture and concurrently capture sunlight for dynamic photosynthesis, we propose herein a scenario of all-biobased hydrovoltaic-photovoltaic electricity generators (HPEGs) that integrate photosystem II (PSII) with Geobacter sulfurreducens (G.s) for simultaneous energy harvesting from both moisture and sunlight. This proof of concept illustrates that the all-biobased HPEG generates steady hygroelectricity induced by moisture absorption and meanwhile creates a photovoltaic electric field which further strengthens electricity generation under sunlight. Under environmental conditions, the synergic hydrovoltaic-photovoltaic effect in HPEGs has resulted in a continuous output power with a high density of 1.24 W/m2, surpassing all HEGs reported hitherto. This work thus provides a feasible strategy for boosting electricity generation via simultaneous energy harvesting from ambient moisture and sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoping Ren
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qichang Hu
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Ye
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Andong Hu
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jian Lü
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shungui Zhou
- College of Resources and Environment, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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