From Energy to Intelligence: MXenes Transforming Triboelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract

As a 2D functional material, MXenes have attracted an abundance of curiosity. MXenes, with their remarkable features, redefine the performance of energy harvesting by boosting stability, efficiency, and charge transfer. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have become an appealing technology for energy harvesting and sensing applications due to the increasing demand for self-powered and sustainable energy solutions. The inadequate output performance of TENGs still keeps them a long way from being used commercially. Utilizing MXenes in TENG is associated with terminal groups (such as =O, -OH, and -F, etc.), the intrinsic metallic nature, and the synthetic techniques of MXenes. In this review, the recent advancements in MXene synthesis, TENG operating mechanisms, and fabrication strategies are provided. The origin, advancement, and mechanism behind the TENG have been elucidated for fresh researchers in this field. Furthermore, the diverse roles of MXenes in TENGs and the integration of MXene TENGs in numerous applications, including biomedical wearables, environmental sensing, sports monitoring, and soft robots, are explored thoroughly. Finally, we delve into the obstacles and future outlook of MXene-TENG research, emphasizing the avenues for further advancement in the field of multifunctional sensing and energy harvesting.