Metal-Organic Frameworks as Multifunctional Materials for Triboelectric Nanogenerators Applied in Self-Charging Power
Helinando Pequeno de Oliveira1
1Instituto de Pesquisa em Ciência dos Materiais, Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, 48902-300 Juazeiro, BA, Brazil.
ACS Omega
|July 3, 2026
Summary
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) enhance triboelectric nanogenerators by acting as nanofillers. Functionalized MOFs improve device performance, especially under harsh conditions, enabling efficient energy harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Energy Harvesting
Background:
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) possess unique porous structures suitable for diverse applications.
- MOFs can be utilized in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) as friction-layer nanofillers.
- TENG performance is often limited by environmental factors like high humidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review strategies for utilizing MOFs and their composites in triboelectric nanogenerators.
- To explore how MOFs enhance surface charge activity and device performance.
- To discuss methods for improving TENG operation under challenging conditions.
Main Methods:
- Functionalization of MOFs with electron-donating and -withdrawing groups.
- Fabrication of MOF-based composites for triboelectric layers.
- Analysis of doping processes and charge transfer in MOF-enhanced tribopairs.
Main Results:
- MOFs improve dielectric properties and surface charge activity in tribopairs.
- Functionalized MOFs and composites enhance TENG performance, particularly under high humidity and temperature.
- Strategies for faster charge transfer and integration with supercapacitors are discussed.
Conclusions:
- MOFs offer significant potential for advancing triboelectric nanogenerator technology.
- MOF integration can overcome key limitations of conventional TENGs, such as humidity sensitivity.
- Further development of MOF-based devices promises efficient and robust energy harvesting solutions.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Charging Conductors By Induction
The Earth is a good conductor of electricity, and it is so big that it can be considered an infinite source or sink of charges. It can easily exchange charges with any matter.
Generally, conductors like metals do not allow any excess charge to be present on them. Any excess charge added to metals easily flows away, for example, when a metal is placed on the Earth. This process is called earthing.
However, conductors can be charged by a process called induction. For example, consider charging a...
Generally, conductors like metals do not allow any excess charge to be present on them. Any excess charge added to metals easily flows away, for example, when a metal is placed on the Earth. This process is called earthing.
However, conductors can be charged by a process called induction. For example, consider charging a...
01:28Electrochemical Cells
Electrochemical cells are systems that convert chemical energy into electrical energy or use electrical energy to drive chemical reactions. They consist of two electrodes in contact with an electrolyte, where redox reactions enable electron transfer. Most electrochemical cells include two half-cells connected by an external wire for electron flow and a salt bridge for ion flow. The salt bridge contains an electrolyte solution and maintains charge neutrality by allowing ions—not electrons—to...
01:24Electrochemical Systems
Electrochemical systems provide a fascinating insight into the dynamic interplay of charged species within various phases. One notable example is the interaction between a membrane permeable to K⁺ ions but not to Cl⁻ ions, separating an aqueous KCl solution from pure water. As K⁺ ions diffuse through the membrane, they generate net charges on each phase, leading to a potential difference between them.Similarly, when a piece of Zn is immersed in an aqueous ZnSO₄ solution, the Zn metal, composed...