Exploring the Development of Triboelectronic Nanogenerators in Wearable Devices

Given the growing demand for sustainable energy in the buildout of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the shortcomings of traditional energy generation methods for wearable electronic devices, this paper focuses on the application of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) in the field of wearable devices. By utilizing the principle of interaction between contact electrification and electrostatic induction, we describe the various operating modes of TENGs in this paper, including the vertical contact separation mode, lateral sliding mode, single-electrode mode, and freestanding triboelectric-layer mode, and summarize the applications of TENGs in various fields. Wearable devices can be classified into fibre/yarn types, fabric types and patch types according to their morphology. For these categories, the progress made through material innovation and structural design, functional integration and performance optimization, as well as the enhancement of durability and comfort, are described in detail, while the effects of these approaches are discussed through specific application cases, including energy harvesting, flexible wearable and health monitoring aspects. Practical difficulties and challenges that hinder the development of TENGs in the wearable field are also discussed. Finally, future development trends and technological breakthroughs are proposed to provide new strategies and ideas for the development of TENGs.