Triboelectric nanogenerator technology for city self-purification: efficient high-entropy energy harvesting and effective pollutant purification in the environment

With rapid urbanization, increasing energy consumption, and escalating environmental pollution, urban resources and ecosystems are under immense pressure. In response, the concept of city self-purification has emerged as a pivotal strategy aimed at achieving sustainable urban development through the utilization of clean energy and artificial purification technologies. The triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), a cost-effective and eco-friendly technology, has demonstrated remarkable capabilities in capturing high-entropy mechanical energy from the environment and converting it into electricity, positioning it as a zero-carbon energy harvesting solution comparable to solar energy technologies. Meanwhile, TENG technology has shown significant potential in the remediation of various environmental pollutants across multiple media. This review provides the first systematic and comprehensive summary of TENG advancements toward the integrated concept of self-purifying cities, with a focus on their roles in high-entropy energy harvesting and pollutant purification in urban air, water, and soil. By revisiting the fundamental principles and developmental trends of TENG, we analyze their unique value and promising applications in fostering intelligent, clean, and sustainable urban development, offering theoretical insights and future research directions for practical implementations.