Abstract
The triboelectric energy generators prepared using the combination of self-polarized, high β-phase nanocomposite films of Gd5Si4-PVDF and polyamide-6 (PA-6) films have generated significantly higher voltage of ∼425 V, short-circuit current density of ∼30 mA/m2 and a charge density of ∼116.7 μC/m2 as compared to corresponding values of ∼300 V, 30 mA/m2 and 94.7 μC/m2, respectively for the pristine PVDF-(PA-6) combination. The magnetic measurements of the Gd5Si4-PVDF films display a ferromagnetic behavior as compared to diamagnetic nature of pristine PVDF. The presence of magnetic nanoparticles in the polymeric matrix allows for some control over the microstructural properties during the preparation process. The results open new routes for multiferroic composite films to be suitable for multi-functional magnetic and triboelectric energy harvesting applications.
Highlights
The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms for the pristine PVDF and Gd5Si4 composite films shown in Fig. 2(c) provides evidence of the increase in the crystalline β-phase upon the addition of Gd5Si4 nanoparticles
The melting temperature, TM, for the starting PVDF pellets and pristine PVDF membranes is in the range of 172-173 ○C, with a slightly lower value for PVDF membranes
The TM of the Gd5Si4-PVDF films is nearly 166.8○ C, which is approximately 3.0-5.0○ C lower as compared to that of pristine PVDF membranes and pellets, confirming that the lowering of the TM can be attributed to the enhanced β-phase content of the films
Summary
Triboelectric generators (TEGs) have garnered much attention due to their high power output and conversion efficiency at a low production cost.1–3 TEGs operate by accumulating static charge on the surfaces of different dielectric materials when they are brought into frictional contact with each other, which is passed onto the external load via electrostatic induction using back electrodes.1–5 In order to improve the energy density of TEGs, the dielectric materials should be diametrically opposite in their ability to provide or receive electrons in the triboelectric exchange i.e., one of the materials should lose electrons while the other readily accepts electrons.1–3 Considering the triboelectric series, it can be observed that a triboelectric positive material such as polyamide-6 (PA6, Nylon) loses electrons when it is in contact with triboelectric negative polymer such as poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, which has a significant ability to gain electrons due to the high electronegativity of the fluorine groups.2,3,6,7 As such, dielectric-dielectric TEGs based on the combination of fluorinated polymers and polyamides have been shown extensively.6–9In this work, a TEG was prepared using the combination of tribo-negative Gd5Si4-PVDF and tribo-positive PA-6 films using a facile phase-inversion method. The fabricated Gd5Si4-PVDF TEGs scitation.org/journal/adv showed significantly higher voltage of ∼425 V, short-circuit current density of ∼30 mA/m2 and a charge density of ∼116.7 μC/m2 as compared to corresponding values of ∼300 V, 30 mA/m2 and 94.7 μC/m2, respectively for the pristine PVDF-(PA-6) combination.
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