Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Thermal Management Application: Current Progress and Future Prospects

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Energy Harvesting and Conversion
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Wearable electronics and self-powered systems require advanced thermal management (TM) solutions.
• Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) generate heat (Joule thermal), leading to performance degradation and device failure.
• Integrating TM technologies into TENGs is essential for high-performance and stable self-powered systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review research progress in integrating advanced TM technologies into TENGs.
• To provide insights into constructing high-performance and stable self-powered systems.
• To elucidate the bidirectional coupling mechanism between triboelectric charge generation and thermal management.

Main Methods:

• Systematic summary of TM-TENG systems based on materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, MXene, cellulose, and phase change materials.
• Elucidation of the bidirectional coupling mechanism between triboelectric charge generation and thermal management.
• Critical analysis of existing theoretical models for frictional heating and TM interactions.

Main Results:

• Detailed review of TM-TENG design, materials, and bidirectional coupling mechanisms.
• Analysis of theoretical models governing the interaction between frictional heating and thermal management.
• Exploration of multifunctional integration and application potential in thermal conversion, energy harvesting, storage, actuation, and conduction.

Conclusions:

• Identified challenges and future directions for TM-TENG systems.
• Proposed strategic recommendations for developing advanced TM-TENG systems.
• Emphasized the need for interdisciplinary development at the intersection of TM and energy harvesting.