Growth of ZnO Nanorods on ITO Film for Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

Abstract

Piezoelectric nanogenerators (NGs) consist of zinc oxide nanorods (ZNRs), and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers were fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated substrate for the energy harvesting system. The formation of seed layers by an optimized aqueous solution method greatly helped the growth of well-aligned ZNRs for NGs. Polyethylenimine (PEI) was added to increase the aspect ratio of ZNRs, which reached up to 24:1, showing the best energy harvesting performance of NGs. The formation of PDMS layers on the ZNRs increased the work function difference for the top Ag electrode. The thickness of PDMS layers was optimized as 80 μm, which showed the maximum work function difference, resulting in the enhancement of charge density. Piezoelectric NGs made of ZNRs of the highest aspect ratio of 24:1 with an 80-μm-thick PDMS layer achieved the highest current density of 2270.1 nA/cm2, which could be sufficient to drive low-power electronics.

Towards a Highly Efficient ZnO Based Nanogenerator

“…It is a simple procedure that generates little heat and yields high results at a low cost. Furthermore, it is a fast and controlled technique that can produce structures that are good in terms of shape and clarity [123]. Tao et al [121] found that seed layers prepared under different oxygen partial pressure sputtering parameters and annealing treatments had a great influence on the morphology of ZnO NR arrays.…”

“…It is a simple procedure that generates little heat and yields high results at a low cost. Furthermore, it is a fast and controlled technique that can produce structures that are good in terms of shape and clarity [123].…”