This paper describes the development of flexible energy harvesters using PVDF–graphene nanocomposites. Nanocomposite films are prepared by simple solution casting of polyvinylidene fluoride/graphene oxide (PVDF/GO) solution. PVDF/reduced graphene oxide (PVDF/RGO) films are produced by in situ thermal reduction of PVDF/GO films. The effects of the presence of GO and RGO on the characteristics of the PVDF are examined through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The ferroelectric behavior and dielectric constant of the nanocomposite show remarkable increase compared to those of pure PVDF for a value of 0.1 wt% of GO loading. The PVDF/RGO film-based energy harvesting (EH) device generates higher energy compared to those of PVDF and PVDF/GO films. The nanocomposite EH device scavenges a maximum power of 36 nW against a load resistance of 704 kΩ.
This article describes the aluminum nitride (AlN)-based piezoelectric microgenerator for scavenging energy from ambient vibration. To achieve the low resonance frequency and maximize power density, a parametric study has been carried out by analytical modeling and finite element analysis. The piezoelectric microgenerator consists of AlN piezoelectric thin film with molybdenum (Mo) electrodes and silicon (Si) proof mass. The AlN was deposited on silicon-on-insulator wafer which is used as an insulating layer to defend the leakage current. The Mo electrode provides the excellent c-axis crystal growth of AlN. The fabricated AlN piezoelectric microgenerator can generate up to 6.4 nW at a frequency of 389 Hz and acceleration of 1.0 g (1 g = 9.81 m/s2). In addition, the output voltage and power density are 22.6 mVrms and 11.3 nW/mm3, respectively. The proposed generator is highly suitable for batch processing and has the possibility of harvesting energy from the ambient vibration.
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