Stretchable Polymer Hydrogels Based Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Bioelectronics

Abstract

The rapid development of flexible electronics has led to unprecedented social and economic improvements. But conventional power devices cannot adapt to the advances of flexible electronics. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have been used as robust power sources to transform ambient mechanical energy into electricity, thus meeting the power requirements of flexible electronics. Hydrogels are widely used for soft bioelectronics owing to the decent stretchability and biocompatibility. This Review presents the recent progress in the use of hydrogels for TENGs and self-powered hydrogel bioelectronics, including hydrogel synthesis, hydrogel TENGs fabrication, and their applications in wearable electricity generation, self-powered active sensing, and therapeutics. Hydrogel-enabled TENGs are emerging as a novel form of soft bioelectronics. We provided a critical analysis of hydrogel TENGs and insights into future opportunities and directions of this rapidly evolving field. These advancements will push the boundaries of hydrogel bioelectronics and contribute to the development of personalized healthcare solutions.