Electric field enhancement for triboelectrification-induced electroluminescence via micro electrode units and BaTiO3 nanoparticles

Abstract

Intelligent terminals demand motion sensors with high intensity and low energy consumption. Motion sensors relied on the conversion of mechanical signals into electrical signals usually need complex electric circuits. Alternatively, novel motion sensors that can convert mechanical signals into optical signals represent an intuitive way of motion sensing. Here, a high-intensity luminescent composite film is proposed with utilization of micro electrode units and high dielectric BaTiO3 nanoparticles aiming at electric field enhancement for the electroluminescence process of triboelectrification-induced electroluminescence (TIEL). It is found that the existing of electrode units would effectively enhance the produced electric field along the edge of the electrode units and thus promote the luminescent intensity. Besides, the BaTiO3 nanoparticles would elevate the dielectric constant of the luminescent composite film and a proper ratio of BaTiO3 would significantly improve the luminescent intensity. The dielectric constant of the luminescent layer would rise as the driving frequency decreases, which indicates its suitability for low frequency mechanical movement sensing. Visualized motion sensing with high intensity and excellent stability thereby can be stimulated under ultra-low pressure and low frequency mechanical movement. Hand motion and water flow can be real-timely tracked via luminescent composite films with micro electrode arrays, demonstrating its great potential in self-powered motion sensors for the broad applications in biometrics, liquid sensing, anti-counterfeiting identification, surveillance and many others.