Cellulose/BaTiO3 aerogel paper based flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators and the electric coupling with triboelectricity

Abstract

Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) with high output performance are highly desirable for energy harvesting. Coupling triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with the PENGs is a feasible method to enhance the output performance, while the complicated structure and the requirement of skillful operation limited the development of hybridized nanogenerators. In this work, flexible high-performance PENGs are developed using regenerated cellulose/BaTiO3 (C/BT) aerogel papers based polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites. Benefiting from the high loading but uniform dispersion of tetragonal BT nanoparticles and the enhanced Young Modulus of the nanocomposites, the PENGs can exhibit a maximum voltage of 15.5 V and a maximum power of 11.8 μW under an external mechanical impact. By introducing a single electrode TENG, an innovative hybridized nanogenerator has been designed and prepared, which combine different mechanical energy harvesting techniques in a single device. Polarized along proper direction of the PENG, the positive coupling effect can efficiently increase the output voltage and power of the hybridized nanogenerator to 48 V and 85 μW, respectively. This research offers new insights into the design and preparation of high output hybridized nanogenerator with simple structure, high flexibility and easy operation.