Issue 4, 2021

Advances in self-powered chemical sensing via a triboelectric nanogenerator

Abstract

Chemical sensors allow for continuous detection and analysis of underexplored molecules in the human body and the surroundings and have promising applications in human healthcare and environmental protection. With the increasing number of chemical sensors and their wide-range distribution, developing a continuous, sustainable, and pervasive power supply is vitally important but an unmet scientific challenge to perform chemical sensing. Self-powered chemical sensing via triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) could be a promising approach to this critical situation. TENGs can convert mechanical triggers from the surroundings into usable electrical signals for chemical sensing in a self-powered and environment-friendly manner. Moreover, their simple structure, low probability of failure, and wide choice of materials distinguish them from other chemical sensing technologies. This review article discusses the working principles of TENGs and their applications in chemical sensing with respect to the role of TENGs as either a self-powered sensor or a power source for existing chemical sensors. Advances in materials innovation and nanotechnology to optimize the chemical sensing performances are discussed and emphasized. Finally, the current challenges and future prospect of TENG enabled self-powered chemical sensing are discussed to promote interdisciplinary field development and revolutions.

Graphical abstract: Advances in self-powered chemical sensing via a triboelectric nanogenerator

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
30 okt 2020
Accepted
16 dec 2020
First published
16 dec 2020

Nanoscale, 2021,13, 2065-2081

Advances in self-powered chemical sensing via a triboelectric nanogenerator

C. Huang, G. Chen, A. Nashalian and J. Chen, Nanoscale, 2021, 13, 2065 DOI: 10.1039/D0NR07770D

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