journal article·2026-07-28

Lignocellulosic Triboelectric Materials for Energy Harvesting and Emerging Applications: A Review on Lignin‐Molecular Engineering toward Improved Performance

Yuxin Yang, Boyu Du, Yuwen Wang, Tian Tang, Yuxuan Xie, Jiajun Zhang, Yajun Zhang, Jingyu Xu, Xing Wang, Chuanyin Xiong

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Abstract

While triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are promising platforms for distributed energy generation and self‐powered sensing, their heavy reliance on nonrenewable, petroleum‐derived materials hinders their sustainable development. To address this, abundant and biodegradable lignocellulosic biomass—particularly lignin, Earth's most abundant aromatic polymer—has emerged as a highly promising, low‐cost, and tunable feedstock for green triboelectric materials. This review systematically surveys recent advances in lignocellulose‐based triboelectric materials for energy harvesting, with a focus on the synergistic interplay between charge generation mechanisms and the structural diversity of biomass. It further elucidates strategies to enhance the performance of lignin‐based TENGs through chemical modification, morphological engineering, and composite design. In addition, the application potential of these materials in biomedical devices, environmental monitoring, and AI‐integrated systems is also assessed. Finally, the review outlines persisting challenges and future opportunities, including material standardization, scalable green manufacturing, and life cycle management.
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Research context

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control Guangxi University Nanning 530004 China

College of Materials Science and Engineering, Heilongjiang Provinces Key Laboratory of Polymeric Composite materials Qiqihar University Wenhua Street Qiqihar 161006 China

Liaoning Key Laboratory of Lignocellulose Chemistry and Bio Materials, College of Light Industry and Chemical Engineering Dalian Polytechnic University Dalian 116034 China

Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Papermaking‐Based Technology and Specialty Paper Development, College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering Shaanxi University of Science &Technology Xi'an 710021 China

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province

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