The hybridization of different nanomaterials has been studied widely for the versatile use of nanogenerators in a range of environments. This paper reports an analysis of the power enhancements in a hybrid piezoelectric structure comprised of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer. The mechanical properties were examined by atomic force microscopy and simulated by the finite element method. The electrical properties of the hybrid nanogenerators were observed by electrostatic force microscopy and direct I-V measurements. Based on this analysis, the ZnO nanowires delivered internal strain to the PVDF in the hybrid structure, which enhanced the electrical power output of a hybrid nanogenerator. These results may open up new ways to optimize a hybrid piezoelectric structure in terms of its design and the spatial arrangement of each nanostructure.
We report the first attempt to prepare a flexoelectric nanogenerator consisting of direct-grown piezoelectrics on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (mwCNT). Direct-grown piezoelectrics on mwCNTs are formed by a stirring and heating method using a Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT)-mwCNT precursor solution. We studied the unit cell mismatch and strain distribution of epitaxial PZT nanoparticles, and found that lattice strain is relaxed along the growth direction. A PZT-mwCNT nanogenerator was found to produce a peak output voltage of 8.6 V and an output current of 47 nA when a force of 20 N is applied. Direct-grown piezoelectric nanogenerators generate a higher voltage and current than simple mixtures of PZT and CNTs resulting from the stronger connection between PZT crystals and mwCNTs and an enhanced flexoelectric effect caused by the strain gradient. These experiments represent a significant step toward the application of nanogenerators using piezoelectric nanocomposite materials.
One-step microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis of a 1T–2H MoS2 heterostructure with excellent stability and electrocatalytic performance of 1T-MoS2 as a hydrogen evolution catalyst.
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