Deep Insight into the Influences of the Intrinsic Properties of Dielectric Elastomer on the Energy-Harvesting Performance of the Dielectric Elastomer Generator

Yingjie Jiang,Nanying Ning,Liqun Zhang,Ming Tian,Yujia Li,Haibo Yang

doi:10.3390/polym13234202

Yingjie Jiang, Nanying Ning + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13234202

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Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Nov 30, 2021
Citations: 6	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Beijing University of Chemical Technology

Abstract

The dielectric elastomer (DE) generator (DEG), which can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, has attracted considerable attention in the last decade. Currently, the energy-harvesting performances of the DEG still require improvement. One major reason is that the mechanical and electrical properties of DE materials are not well coordinated. To provide guidance for producing high-performance DE materials for the DEG, the relationship between the intrinsic properties of DE materials and the energy-harvesting performances of the DEG must be revealed. In this study, a simplified but validated electromechanical model based on an actual circuit is developed to study the relationship between the intrinsic properties of DE materials and the energy-harvesting performance. Experimental verification of the model is performed, and the results indicate the validity of the proposed model, which can well predict the energy-harvesting performances. The influences of six intrinsic properties of DE materials on energy-harvesting performances is systematically studied. The results indicate that a high breakdown field strength, low conductivity and high elasticity of DE materials are the prerequisites for obtaining high energy density and conversion efficiency. DE materials with high elongation at break, high permittivity and moderate modulus can further improve the energy density and conversion efficiency of the DEG. The ratio of permittivity and the modulus of the DE should be tailored to be moderate to optimize conversion efficiency (η) of the DEG because using DE with high permittivity but extremely low modulus may lead to a reduction in η due to the occurrence of premature “loss of tension”.

Highlights

The dielectric elastomer (DE) generator (DEG), which can convert mechanical energy to electrical energy, has attracted considerable attention in the last decade
This study provides a preliminary guidance for the preparation of high-performance DE materials for the dielectric elastomer generator (DEG), but the results on energy density calculated by this model cannot be obtained in an actual circuit
An electromechanical model of DEG was established to reveal the relationship between the intrinsic properties of DE materials and energy-harvesting performances

Summary

Introduction with regard to jurisdictional claims in

The dielectric elastomer transducer (DET) has been a hot area of research in recent decades due to its high flexibility, light weight, large mechanical strain, simple structure and low cost [1,2,3,4]. This study provides a preliminary guidance for the preparation of high-performance DE materials for the DEG, but the results on energy density calculated by this model cannot be obtained in an actual circuit. This model does not take the mechanics/charge loss of the DE into consideration. During the electrical excitation and harvesting process, the permittivity and strain, electrical breakdown strength and the bulk conductivity influence ∆U by affecting the capacitance, bias voltage and charge loss, respectively [31,32].

Setup of Device Variables

Modeling of DEG

The Description of Mechanical Loss Behavior

Equation

Experimental Validation

Conclusions