Fatigue-resistant high-performance dielectric elastomer generator in alternating current method. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Zisheng; Tan, Jianbo; Chen, Haojie; Di, Kui; Bao, Kunwei; Cheng, Jinzhan; Xie, Xinjun; Zheng, Shaodi; Lin, Shizhe; Cai, Jiancheng; Cheng, Tinghai; Liu, Liwu; Wang, Zhong Lin; E, Shiju
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 109(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: AC Alteranating Current -- DC Direct Current -- DEG Dielectric Elastomer Generator; Dielectric elastomer generator -- Fatigue resistance -- Energy harvesting mechanism -- Alternating current method; 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.2023.108314
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: Dielectric elastomer generator (DEG) is a solid-state electrostatic device with variable capacitance. As an energy harvester, it should be passive, high performance, and fatigue-resistant. However, no such DEGs can satisfy these requirements simultaneously as the high performance strongly depends on a high external voltage and large capacitance change, which are prone to dielectric elastomer film fatigue and failure. In this study, we developed a passive alternating current dielectric elastomer generator (AC-DEG) to reconcile the contradiction and satisfy these requirements. Based on the AC method, a high performance by structural parameters could be obtained with a small capacitance change, which avoids the large capacitance change, and consequently, fatigue and failure. The AC-DEG exhibits energy density of 111 mJ/g with an energy conversion efficiency of 51.8% and charge density of 5.6 mC/m 2 per cycle at 1.5 Hz with only a two-fold capacitance change. Furthermore, the AC-DEG can maintain over 100 mJ/g and 4.6 mC/m 2 per cycle in a continuous operation for over 7 days (> 1 million cycles) at 1.5 Hz. We developed an integrated device with two AC-DEGs to charge commercial Li-polymer batteries with different capacities. This study provides an effective route for development of DEGs toward practical applications and industrialization. Graphical Abstract: An optimized approach toward a passive alternative-current dielectric elastomer generator (AC-DEG). Based on a small strain change, the AC-DEG simultaneously realizes excellent fatigue-resistance and high electrical performance. More importantly, the AC-DEG exhibits unprecedented fatigue-resistance undergoing continuous operation for 7 days (> 10 7 cycles) at over 100 mJ/g and 4.6 mC/m 2 per cycle. ga1 Highlights: The effect of structure parameters on the electric performance of the AC-DEG was systematically analyzed. High performance by structural parameters could be obtained in a small capacitance change based on AC method. The contradiction between high electric performance and fatigue resistance was reconciled. Power to charge commercial Li-polymer batteries.