Advanced 3D printing-based triboelectric nanogenerator for mechanical energy harvesting and self-powered sensing

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is an innovative technology that it has sparked a revolution in distributed energy supply and self-powered system. Integration of advanced TENG with burgeoning 3D printing (3DP) technologies fosters the emergence of 3DP-based TENGs. It will inevitably promote the rapid development and widespread applications of next-generation portable electronics and multifaceted artificial intelligence. However, due to the different subject field between researchers specializing in TENG and those good at 3DP, they are not always a perfect combination. It is rather difficult to achieve with both excellent electrical properties and outstanding practical performances. For that, a review is presented more systematic and comprehensive of 3DP-based TENGs for the first time. In which the quantitatively statistics and correlation data of research progress are given, such as publications, 3DP technologies and materials, structure designs and functionalities, working modes and mechanisms, output performances, unique advantages, potential technical challenges and promising application fields that can impede their sizable production and applications are discussed. It is hoped that this review will not only deepen the intersection and amalgamation between 3DP and TENGs, but also push forward more in-depth research and applications of future TENGs.