What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore how lubricants can enhance the performance and durability of triboelectric nanogenerators.

February 12, 2026Open Access

Toward Reliable Triboelectric Nanogenerators: Roles of Lubricants

Key Points

The aim is to explore how lubricants can enhance the performance and durability of triboelectric nanogenerators.
Reviewed fundamental operational modes of TENGs, including contact-separation and sliding mode.
Analyzed performance under various lubrication conditions, comparing liquid lubrication to dry conditions.
Examined the influence of load, frequency, mass fraction, and volume of lubricants on tribological and electrical output.
Focused on enhancing durability as a crucial factor for practical TENG applications.
Sliding-mode TENGs showed superior electrical output but lacked durability under dry conditions.
Lubricants significantly improved both tribological performance and electrical output in TENGs.
The study identified key parameters that optimize TENG performance when lubricated.

Abstract

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a newly adopted technology designed to harvest freely available mechanical energy from the environment and convert it into electricity that can help to meet future demands for clean and sustainable energy. TENGs represent a promising next-generation renewable energy technology, an alternative to traditional non-renewable fossil fuel sources, with a wide range of applications, including smart sensors, wearable devices, internet of things (IoT), and portable electronics. Through contact/triboelectrification and electrostatic induction, TENGs convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Broadly, TENGs are classified into contact–separation mode and sliding mode. In contact–separation mode, the electric output is achieved through the contact and separation of triboelectric layers, while in the sliding mode, it is generated by the sliding of one triboelectric layer over another. Sliding-mode TENGs have demonstrated better electrical output compared to the contact–separation mode; however, they suffer low durability and cannot operate for long periods due to severe wear. In addition, their electrical output performance is reduced owing to air breakdown. Lubricants have demonstrated their potential in TENGs by overcoming these limitations and improving both tribological and triboelectric performance. This review provides a discussion on the fundamental modes of TENGs, followed by a comprehensive summary of the tribological and triboelectrical performance of existing TENGs under liquid lubrication, along with a comparison of their performance under dry conditions. The effects of load, frequency, mass fraction, and volume of the liquid lubricant on both tribology and electrical output are examined. Durability is identified as a key factor for the long-term practical application of TENGs; hence, this paper also focuses on it. Furthermore, strategies for improving TENG performance and the working mechanisms under liquid lubrication are discussed. Finally, the paper summarizes demonstrations of TENG applications based on various TENG designs.

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