Micropattern lamination improving piezoelectric coefficient of bio-membrane for multifunctional single-electrode devices

Abstract

Natural bio-piezoelectric materials are of great concern as energy harvesters and sensors for their inherent nontoxicity, excellent biocompatiblility and biodegradability. Nevertheless, the piezoelectric coefficient of these materials are much lower than that of organic/inorganic piezoelectric material. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the research on improving the piezoelectric properties of biological materials to promote their practical application. In this study, the natural bio-membrane of hog casings composed of a large number of orderly layer-by layer collagen fibers were proposed as a bio-piezoelectric material for the multifunctional single-electrode devices, with emphasis on strengthening the piezoelectric coefficient of the bio-membrane from 5.3 to 13.1 pC N−1 based on a facile micropattern lamination method. The hog casings between different pieces formed interlock with the gaps between collagen fibers, and polypeptide chains were interconnected with hydrogen bonds by the surface functional groups, which made the lamination expand the accumulated stress and electric dipole moment. Moreover, the single-electrode mode adopted in the piezoelectric device could effectively avoid the risk of short circuit and kept on providing continuous power partially cracked, which was particularly important in power supply equipment in human body. The bio-membrane based piezoelectric device exhibited good piezoelectric performance, stability and durability in the explored applications.