Lithium doped zinc oxide based flexible piezoelectric-triboelectric hybrid nanogenerator

Piezoelectric and Triboelectric hybrid nanogenerators (PTENG) have attracted scientific attention due to their ability to efficiently harvest mechanical energy. Thus, they have been promoted as a potential replacement of conventional energy generation devices and stress sensors. In this study, we report a cost-effective unpoled PTENG composed of a Polyvinylidene fluoride matrix with insertion of surface modified Lithium Doped Zinc Oxide (Li-ZnO) Nanowires (NWs) and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a piezoelectric film, along with Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) co-polymers on thin Aluminium (Al) film as a triboelectric layer. The device was tested with variable load conditions to examine its capability of functioning as a nanogenerator as well as a pressure sensor. The results indicate that surface modification enhances piezoelectric response while reducing the probability of a surface dielectric hindrance due to thinner Polyethylene glycol surface film on Li-ZnO NW. The linear response to applied stress enables the device to be used as load measuring module. Maximum output voltage under constant load was found to be 60.1 V and current production was 75 mu A. Under constant-frequency load, PTENG exhibited a high degree of micro-stresses. Hence it continuously produced electricity. This demonstration shows that PTENG can be utilized as a real-life superior power generation device and self-powered transducer.