Recent Advances in SiO₂-Based Nanocomposites for Triboelectric Nanogenerators and Green Tire Vehicles

Silica (SiO₂) is an earth-abundant, low-cost material that has been explored for use in triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) for sustainable energy generation and in ecofriendly tires to support a healthy ecosystem. In particular, SiO₂-based nanocomposites hold promise for applications in both TENGs and green tires, yet literature reviews on these applications are limited, with most research focusing on other composites. This study provides methods for synthesizing SiO₂-based nanocomposites on conductive substrates for use in TENGs and for synthesizing SiO₂-based elastomers for use in green-tire vehicles. First, the basic principles of TENGs and how these systems work are briefly described. Then, the types of SiO₂-based nanocomposites and the relationship between structure and properties are reviewed. This review aims to provide a chemistry-based perspective to better understand the roles of SiO₂ in these systems. It suggests new avenues for designing more efficient materials and, by focusing on the role of the interface and providing a coherent framework for the relationship between material design and performance, contributes to the development of advanced energy-harvesting systems and enhances the tire performance of rubber composites. This study summarizes past contributions of SiO₂-based materials to TENGs and their role in advancing sustainable transportation over the last decade. Finally, this work provides perspectives on opportunities and challenges for the near-future advancement of green tires and triboelectric devices, leveraging the design functionalities of SiO₂-based nanocomposites (or elastomers) to engineer high performance.