This study reports
flexible nanocomposite-based piezoelectric nanogenerators
(PENGs) fabricated by dispersing various piezoelectric nanoparticles
(BaTiO3, ZnO, and PZT) and graphene nanopowder in a silicone
matrix. The results indicated that the PZT-based composites showed
superior performance in comparison to other ceramics. Subsequently,
practical application of PENGs was demonstrated by developing a fully
functioning shoe-insole nanogenerator (SING). The SING generated high
open-circuit voltage (∼27 V), short-circuit current (429.23
μA), and power density (402 mW/m2) under real-time
human walking. Moreover, a facile and inexpensive fabrication method
for efficient, skin-friendly, and highly stretchable biomechanical
piezoelectric sensors is also proposed. In this regard, multiwall
carbon nanotubes/silicone composite stretchable electrodes were prepared
to be compatible with the sensors. The electrodes displayed stability
even under high uniaxial elongation (100%), and the fabricated sensors
responded effectively to almost every joint movement. The results
suggested that the fabricated PENGs can be potentially used as self-powered
biomechanical energy harvesters/sensors in wearable electronics, haptic
sensing, or internet of human-related applications.
Blast furnace slag, an industrial by-product, is emerging as a potential raw material to synthesize hydroxyapatite and zeolite. In this study, the effects of temperature on the hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite-zeolite from blast furnace slag were investigated. Specimens were synthesized at different temperatures (room temperature, 50, 90, 120, or 150 °C). The synthesized specimens were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), BET/BJH, and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive using X-ray analysis (SEM/EDX). It was found that the hydroxyapatite phase was synthesized at all the reaction temperatures, while faujasite type zeolite appeared in the specimens synthesized at 90 and 120 °C. Moreover, faujasite was replaced by hydroxysodalite in the specimens synthesized at 150 °C. Additionally, the crystals of the hydroxyapatite tended to become larger and total crystallinity increased as the reaction temperature increased.
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