A flexible and easily processable polymer composite is
developed
from naturally occurring piezoelectric materials for efficient energy-harvesting
applications. Tomato peel (TP)- and cotton (CTN)-based poly(vinylidene
fluoride) (PVDF) composites have been prepared and the role of induced
electroactive phases have been explored through structural, thermal,
and morphological analyses for their applications in energy production.
The mechanism of induced piezoelectricity is vividly demonstrated
using electromechanical responses and characteristic changes due to
induction phenomena. The CTN-based composite generates a maximum output
voltage and current of 65 V and 2.1 μA, respectively, as compared
to the maximum output voltage and current of 23 V and 0.7 μA
in TP-based composites due to the significant induction of the piezoelectric
phase in the presence of suitable electroactive cotton. The fabricated
device is able to store charges in capacitors and converts the external
stress through different motions of the human body to generate a considerable
output, which describes the applicability of the material and justifies
the potential as an efficient and sustainable biomechanical energy
harvester.
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