Abstract
Advancements in wearable electronics have been propelled by the rapid
growth of the Internet of Things (IoT). The proliferation of electronic
devices and sensors, fueled by the growth of IoT, heavily relies on
power sources, predominantly batteries, with significant implications
for the environment. To address this concern and reduce carbon
emissions, there is a growing emphasis on renewable energy harvesting
technologies, among which triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) play a
pivotal role. Textile-based triboelectric nanogenerators (T-TENGs) stand
out as innovative and sustainable solutions, possessing characteristics
including large contact area, lightweight design, flexibility, comfort,
scalability, and breathability. These smart wearables harness mechanical
energy from human movement, converting it into electric energy. However,
one of the persistent challenges is low electric power output. Decisive
solutions involved meticulous selection of material pairs with
significant differences in work function and optimizing contact areas.
The incorporation of carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon
nanotubes (CNT) and graphene, emerges as a key strategy to enhance
multifunctionality and output. While carbon-based nanomaterials offer
impressive surface area, roughness, and electron mobility, the full
potential of these structures remains untapped due to a lack of
collaboration among experts in TENGs, textiles, and carbonaceous
nanofillers. Herein, the recent progress of carbonaceous nanofillers
incorporated T-TENG is presented. This review delineates recent progress
in T-TENGs incorporating carbonaceous nanofillers, comprehensively
addressing fundamental classification, operational mode, structural
design, and working performance. Furthermore, the analysis also delves
into potential challenges hindering commercialization. By presenting a
comprehensive overview, this review aims to foster collaboration across
diverse research fields and stimulate future investigations into
sustainable, high-performance smart wearables.