Review of Testing Configurations for Simultaneous Measurement of Friction and Triboelectrification

Abstract

The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has emerged as a groundbreaking technology for harvesting clean and sustainable energy cost effectively. For reliable TENG design, minimizing wear damage at the friction layers is crucial. This review provides a comprehensive overview of tribometer-integrated TENG testing configurations used in the simultaneous investigation of both tribological and electrical performance. It considers configurations such as plate-on-plate, ball-on-disc, and ball-on-flat tribometers designed for linear reciprocating or rotating sliding friction tests. These tribometers are either specifically designed or adapted for TENG testing. Triboelectric material holders facilitate friction tests by establishing electrical connections from the triboelectric materials or electrodes, thereby enabling accurate measurement of electrical signals. Electrometers and oscilloscopes record electrical outputs such as short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage. This integration enables the simultaneous measurement of both friction and electrical outputs, providing a thorough understanding of TENG performance. The review also summarizes how factors such as normal force, sliding frequency, and rotating speed affect friction coefficients and TENG performance. It also examines the relationship between the coefficient of friction and tribocharges under various loads and frequencies. The review emphasizes the importance of these testing configurations for evaluating both friction and electrical performance, which are crucial for optimizing TENG efficiency. Finally, the review explores future prospects for developing innovative tribometer designs suited for both tribology and TENG testing.