Energy harvesting using two-dimensional magnesiochromite (MgCr2O4)

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with high surface activity can be utilized for harvesting energy from small mechanical sources using flexoelectricity. In the present work, we have synthesized an atomically thin 2D spinel MgCr2O4 by a liquid-phase exfoliation process, and characterization shows the preferential exfoliation along the (111) plane with low formation energy. The fabricated flexoelectric device produces an electrical response up to-3 V (peak-to-peak voltage) upon pressing and releasing the cell with-0.98 N force. Furthermore, the energy harvesting properties of 2D MgCr2O4 are explored by combining bending with other sources of external energy, with applied varying magnetic flux (Vmax 1/4-2.6 V) and temperature with 0.9 N force (Vmax 1/4-18 V). Our calculations determine that 2D MgCr2O4 has a flexoelectric coefficient of approximately mXZXZ 1/4 0.005 nC/m. Overall, the results indicate that 2D MgCr2O4 is a very promising material for the next generation of self-powered wearable electronics and energy harvesting.& COPY; 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.