A Review on the Study of Contact Electrification: Mechanism, Control and Application

Contact electrification (CE) is a common yet enigmatic physical phenomenon, characterized by its universality, high sensitivity, and ability to generate strong electric fields and electrostatic forces. The features of the CE research system are delineated, including the electron and ion transfer model at metal-metal and insulator friction interfaces, as well as the tribovoltaic effect at semiconductor interfaces. Various methods for controlling charge transfer at triboelectric interfaces are summarized. Furthermore, several applications of CE such as triboelectric nanogenerators and intelligent sensing technology are discussed. Lastly, it is emphasized that future research on CE will focus on charge control methods as the core and surface/interface design as the foundation, highlighting trends in mechanistic quantification research, multidimensional/extreme regulation methods, and multifunctional device integration.