Autonomous MXene-PVDF actuator for flexible solar trackers. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tu, Shaobo; Xu, Lujia; El-Demellawi, Jehad K.; Liang, Hanfeng; Xu, Xiangming; Lopatin, Sergei; De Wolf, Stefaan; Zhang, Xixiang; Alshareef, Husam N.
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 77(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Surface plasmons -- Photothermal-thermomechanical actuator -- Solar tracking -- PV efficiency -- Output power; 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.2020.105277
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: We report a novel flexible solar tracking system based on a photothermal-thermomechanical (PT-TM) actuator comprised of Ti3 C2 Tx MXene and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) bilayer. The actuation function of the proposed device originates from photothermal and surface plasmon-assisted effects in MXenes, coupled with thermomechanical deformation of in-plane aligned PVDF polymer. Two types of solar tracking modes are evaluated based on the experimental deformation behavior of the PT-TM actuator. We find that the uniaxial East-West solar tracking option increases the overall energy intensity reaching the solar module by over 30%, in comparison with the optimized tilting-controlled mode. We also demonstrate the thermally driven self-oscillation of the MXene-PVDF device, which may have promising potential for optically and thermally driven soft robotics. The PT-TM actuator devices display robust mechanical strength and durability, with no noticeable degradation in their performance after more than 1000 cycles. Graphical abstract: A novel flexible photothermal-thermomechanical (PT-TM) actuator comprised of Ti3 C2 Tx MXene and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) bilayer is developed. The actuation function of the proposed device originates from photothermal and surface plasmon-assisted absorption in MXenes, coupled with thermomechanical deformation of in-plane aligned PVDF polymer. The actuator can greatly enhance solar energy harvesting compared to a tilt-controlled solar tracking system. Image 1 Highlights: The actuation mechanism is shown to originate from thermomechanical deformation of the in-plane aligned PVDF polymer chains coupled with optical absorption effects in MXene. We demonstrate that our autonomous actuator can be used in a solar tracking application and can increase the overall energy intensity reaching the solar module by over 30% compared to the optimized tilting-controlled mode. We also demonstrate thermally driven self-oscillation of MXene-PVDF device, which may have potential in optically and thermally driven soft robotics.