Triboelectric nanogenerators as a new energy technology: From fundamentals, devices, to applications

Contact electrification is coupled with electrostatic induction in developing triboelectric nanogenerator as a new energy technology. The triboelectric nanogenerator has two basic operating modes that can be used to harvest a variety of mechanical energy. It provides not only a viable means of powering portable and wearable electronics, but also demonstrates a possible route towards power generation in large scale. This paper makes a comprehensive review on fundamentals, operating modes, device design and performance enhancement of this newly emerged technology. •Presents the fundamentals of the triboelectric nanogenerator;•discuss the basic operating principles of the triboelectric nanogenerator in details;•elaborate the strategies in promoting the output power of the triboelectric nanogenerator; and•discuss the prospects and challenges of the triboelectric nanogenerator.