Flexible self-powered supercapacitors integrated with triboelectric nanogenerators

The rising demand for wearable electronics has motivated a shift towards the creation of a flexible, and self-sustaining power solution. Supercapacitors have the ability to power wearable electronics systems because of their rapid storage capabilities, short discharge times, wearability and flexibility, and superior cyclic stability. Supercapacitor charging can be achieved by integrating mechanical energy harvesters based on piezoelectric and triboelectric effects to develop self-charging power systems (SCPSs). However, triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are preferred over piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) as they are easy to design in different device modes, and offer mechanical energy extraction from body movements, high electrical performance and a wide choice of device materials. This paper comprehensively explores recent emerging trends in flexible supercapacitors integrated with TENGs to develop SCPSs for multifunctional electronics applications. It delves into the operational principles of supercapacitors and TENGs, material selection, the integration of various supercapacitor configurations with TENGs for diverse application perspectives, and the timeline on the development of SCPSs. The review also encapsulates the significance of power management circuits (PMCs) aimed at enhancing energy storage efficiencies in integrated SCPSs. Additionally, an elaborative analysis of the limitations, challenges, and future prospects for SCPSs tailored for self-powered electronics is also provided.