Ferroelectret nanogenerator with large transverse piezoelectric activity. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Xiaoqing; Pondrom, Perceval; Sessler, Gerhard M.; Ma, Xingchen
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 50(2018)
• Page Start: 52
• Page End: 61
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Ferroelectret nanogenerator -- FENG -- Transverse piezoelectric activity -- Parallel tunnel structure -- Fluorinated ethylene propylene -- Vibrational energy; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.05.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Energy harvesting from vibrations enables power delivery to low-energy electronics for autonomous devices, wearables, as well as wireless and remote sensing. Here we present a piezoelectric energy harvester consisting of specially designed ferroelectrets based on fluorocarbon polymers that have very large low-frequency transverse piezoelectric coefficients g 31 = 3.0 Vm/N. This is much larger than corresponding values for lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) which are presently standard materials for harvester devices. We use these ferroelectrets in miniature energy harvesters that can be classified as Ferroelectret Nanogenerators (FENG's). Their performance is characterized by a power output of approximately 50 µW for an acceleration of 9.81 m/s 2 and a seismic mass of 0.09 g. This compares favorably with the best PZT or PVDF systems, but is accomplished with a soft material that is small, lightweight, and flexible. This permits uses of such harvesters for powering miniature devices, such as small mobile sensing equipment, nano- and microelectronic circuits, body-worn electronics, or medical implants. Graphical abstract: fx1 Highlights: Layered fluorocarbon ferroelectrets with soft, reproducible structure are described. They exhibit transverse piezoelectricity with large, thermally stable coefficients. Using these, a force-amplifying Ferroelectret Nanogenerator (FENG) is designed. The FENG converts efficiently vibrational to electric power with large output.