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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

From Fundamentals to Engineering Sustainable Triboelectric Materials: A Review of Cellulose Platforms

  • Renyun Zhang1,2
  • Dabo Chen3
  • Jiayong Li3
  • Peihong Wang4
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Engineering Mathematics and Science Education Mid Sweden University Sundsvall Sweden
  2. 2Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
  3. 3College of Electrical and Information Engineering Hunan University Changsha China
  4. 4School of Materials Science and Engineering Anhui University Hefei Anhui China
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Abstract

Cellulose has become one of the most promising sustainable platforms for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), driven by its abundance, mechanical robustness, chemical tunability, and compatibility with large‐scale manufacturing. This paper provides a critical and mechanism‐oriented review of how the molecular structure, surface chemistry, and composition of cellulose materials influence charge generation, retention, and dissipation during triboelectrification. We analyze the triboelectric properties of native, regenerated, and nanocellulose materials, as well as the methods developed to enhance their properties. Particular attention is given to surface functionalization strategies—such as fluorination, amination, and esterification that enhance charge density while mitigating humidity‐induced losses. Moreover, the application of cellulose material‐based TENGs has been reviewed extensively. By integrating fundamental insights with engineering considerations, a forward‐looking roadmap is proposed for high‐performance, recyclable cellulose‐based systems for sustainable energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing applications.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{zhang2026from,
  title = {{From Fundamentals to Engineering Sustainable Triboelectric Materials: A Review of Cellulose Platforms}},
  author = {Renyun Zhang and Dabo Chen and Jiayong Li and Peihong Wang},
  journal = {Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1002/smll.75882},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.75882},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - From Fundamentals to Engineering Sustainable Triboelectric Materials: A Review of Cellulose Platforms
AU  - Renyun Zhang
AU  - Dabo Chen
AU  - Jiayong Li
AU  - Peihong Wang
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/23
JO  - Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
DO  - 10.1002/smll.75882
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.75882
AB  - Cellulose has become one of the most promising sustainable platforms for triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), driven by its abundance, mechanical robustness, chemical tunability, and compatibility with large‐scale manufacturing. This paper provides a critical and mechanism‐oriented review of how the molecular structure, surface chemistry, and composition of cellulose materials influence charge generation, retention, and dissipation during triboelectrification. We analyze the triboelectric properties of native, regenerated, and nanocellulose materials, as well as the methods developed to enhance their properties. Particular attention is given to surface functionalization strategies—such as fluorination, amination, and esterification that enhance charge density while mitigating humidity‐induced losses. Moreover, the application of cellulose material‐based TENGs has been reviewed extensively. By integrating fundamental insights with engineering considerations, a forward‐looking roadmap is proposed for high‐performance, recyclable cellulose‐based systems for sustainable energy harvesting and self‐powered sensing applications.
SN  - 1613-6810
SN  - 1613-6829
ER  -