Advances of Wearable Silicone Rubber-based Triboelectric Nanogenerators: From Manufacturing to Application

Abstract

Abstract Wearable bioelectronic devices are rapidly evolving towards miniaturisation and multifunctionality, with remarkable features such as flexibility and comfort. However, achieving sustainable power supply for wearable bioelectronic devices is still a great challenge. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can efficiently convert irregular, low-frequency bioenergy from the human body into electrical energy. Besides sustainable powering of wearable bioelectronics, the electrical energy contains rich information for human body sensing. In this conversion process, suitable material is one of the most important factors affecting the output performance of the TENGs. Among different materials, silicone rubber (SR) is widely applied because of its plasticity, flexibility and comfortability, etc. Moreover, it can also achieve some extreme functions, such as strong robustness, good stability, self-healing, rapid response and other functions after treatment. In this review, recent advances of wearable silicone rubber-based TENGs (SR-TENGs) are systematically reviewed in the view of application in different parts of human body. Because the manufacturing method of SR-TENGs largely determines its output performance and sensitivity. It introduce the design of SR-TENGs, including material selection, process modulation and structure optimization. And in the harsh external environment, through the process manufacturing, to achieve extreme output performance and mechanical stability. Finally, the prospects and challenges of SR-TENGs are proposed. It is expected to promote the effective development of SR-TENGs in biomechanical energy harvesting and self-powered sensing.