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 (LiZnO) 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 LiZnO 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 μA. 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.