Lignocellulosic Biomass for the Fabrication of Triboelectric Nano-Generators (TENGs)—A Review

Abstract

Growth in population and increased environmental awareness demand the emergence of new energy sources with low environmental impact. Lignocellulosic biomass is mainly composed of cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. These materials have been used in the energy industry for the production of biofuels as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels. However, their use in the fabrication of small electronic devices is still under development. Lignocellulose-based triboelectric nanogenerators (LC-TENGs) have emerged as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional batteries, which are mainly composed of harmful and non-degradable materials. These LC-TENGs use lignocellulose-based components, which serve as electrodes or triboelectric active materials. These materials can be derived from bulk materials such as wood, seeds, or leaves, or they can be derived from waste materials from the timber industry, agriculture, or recycled urban materials. LC-TENG devices represent an eco-friendly, low-cost, and effective mechanism for harvesting environmental mechanical energy to generate electricity, enabling the development of self-powered devices and sensors. In this study, a comprehensive review of lignocellulosic-based materials was conducted to highlight their use as both electrodes and triboelectric active surfaces in the development of novel eco-friendly triboelectric nano-generators (LC-TENGs). The composition of lignocellulose and the classification and applications of LC-TENGs are discussed.

Advanced Triboelectric Applications of Biomass-Derived Materials: A Comprehensive Review

“…Lignin-based TENGs harness the unique properties of lignin, such as flexibility and biocompatibility, as mentioned above, to offer versatile applications in energy harvesting and sensor technology. Initially, their integration into wearable electronics capitalizes on the natural movements of the human body, transforming actions like walking into a source of electrical power for devices worn on the body [80,86]. This approach not only aligns with the advancement towards more sustainable wearable technologies but also eliminates the dependency on conventional power sources.…”

“…This approach not only aligns with the advancement towards more sustainable wearable technologies but also eliminates the dependency on conventional power sources. Expanding their utility, these TENGs power self-sustained sensors for a variety of monitoring tasks [69,72,86], from environmental observations to health and industrial process control. By generating power from environmental interactions or human motion, they negate the need for external electricity supplies, ensuring continuous operation and reducing maintenance.…”

Advanced Composite Triboelectric Nanogenerator from Bacterial Cellulose and MgAl-LDH Nanosheets: Synthesis, Performance, and Mechanistic insight

“…Biopolymers have been extensively used in composites because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, eco-friendliness, nontoxicity, and safety when they come into contact with the human body. Among various kinds of biomaterials, chitosan [12,13], silk broin [14], lignocellulosic-based materials [15], and bacterial cellulose (BC) has been investigated as a positive layer in TENG, thanks to a larger number of hydroxyl (OH) groups with strong electron donation e ciency [16]. For example, BC lm was successfully fabricated as a friction layer by several methods including casting [17], grafting with in-situ oxidative polymerization [18],…”