Exploration of 2D Ti3C2 MXene for all solution processed piezoelectric nanogenerator applications

Rahmat Zaki Auliya,Khatatbeh Ibtehaj,Mohammad Hafizuddin Hj Jumali,Navid Aslfattahi,Sameer Al-Bati,M F Mohd Razip Wee,Muhammad Aniq Shazni Mohammad Haniff,Zhi Yong Yau,Mohd Ambri Mohamed,Chang Fu Dee,Masuri Othman,Boon Tong Goh,Poh Choon Ooi,Rad Sadri,Noor Azrina Talik

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-96909-0

Abstract

A new 2D titanium carbide (Ti3C2), a low dimensional material of the MXene family has attracted remarkable interest in several electronic applications, but its unique structure and novel properties are still less explored in piezoelectric energy harvesters. Herein, a systematic study has been conducted to examine the role of Ti3C2 multilayers when it is incorporated in the piezoelectric polymer host. The 0.03 g/L of Ti3C2 has been identified as the most appropriate concentration to ensure the optimum performance of the fabricated device with a generated output voltage of about 6.0 V. The probable reasons might be due to the uniformity of nanofiller distribution in the polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and the incorporation of Ti3C2 in a polymer matrix is found to enhance the β-phase of PVDF and diminish the undesired α-phase configuration. Low tapping frequency and force were demonstrated to scavenge electrical energy from abundant mechanical energy resources particularly human motion and environmental stimuli. The fabricated device attained a power density of 14 µW.cm−2 at 10.8 MΩ of load resistor which is considerably high among 2D material-based piezoelectric nanogenerators. The device has also shown stable electrical performance for up to 4 weeks and is practically able to store energy in a capacitor and light up a LED. Hence, the Ti3C2-based piezoelectric nanogenerator suggests the potential to realize the energy harvesting application for low-power electronic devices.

Highlights

A new 2D titanium carbide (Ti3C2), a low dimensional material of the MXene family has attracted remarkable interest in several electronic applications, but its unique structure and novel properties are still less explored in piezoelectric energy harvesters
In order to improve the performance of piezoelectric nanogenerator and yet an environment-friendly concern, a piezoelectric polymeric nanogenerator using polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) material was first conducted in 200911
For piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) purposes, β-phase is of great importance among the crystalline phases as its spontaneous polarization and piezoelectric sensitivity are higher than γ- and δ-phases[13]

Summary

Introduction

A new 2D titanium carbide (Ti3C2), a low dimensional material of the MXene family has attracted remarkable interest in several electronic applications, but its unique structure and novel properties are still less explored in piezoelectric energy harvesters. The incorporation of HF-etched MXene in the triboelectric nanogenerator is found to improve the electrical performance ascribed to the highly electronegative surface of the MXene which is associated with the rich of –F g roup[22] In another recent study, the MXene-based piezoelectric sensor was studied by Wang et al and found that better dipole polarization of PVDF-TrFE is obtained because of improved conductivity resulting from the higher static electric field force[23]. In this work, we propose to demonstrate synergistic effects by blending T i3C2 multilayers, PVDF, and salt using high polar HMPA solvent to study the output performance of piezoelectric nanogenerators. This method has the merit of being time-efficient, low-cost, scalable and produces compatible outcomes as compared to those expensive and complicated tools or processes

Methods

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Discussion

Conclusion