Enhanced output performance of a lead-free nanocomposite generator using BaTiO ₃ nanoparticles and nanowires filler

Flexible nanocomposite generators based on piezoelectric nanoparticles (NPs)-polymeric matrix have been attracted attention as the energy harvesting device converted the electricity from the mechanical deformations. To enhance the piezo-potential difference introduced inside the piezoelectric nanocomposite, one-dimensional nanostructures such as CNTs, copper nanorods, and Ag nanowires (NWs) should be used inevitably as a dispersing agent for achieving well-distributed piezoelectric nanoparticles in an elastomer. These non-piezoelectric additives showed versatile roles; however, their toxicity to living organism has been an obstacle to realize the bio-eco-friendly flexible energy harvesters. Replacing them with piezoelectric NWs with non-toxic can be a challengeable approach to achieve not only the original purposes of additives but also the improvement of output performance. Here, we synthesized well-crystallized BaTiO ₃ spherical and acicular NPs via a simple hydrothermal reaction and the two-step hydrothermal reactions, respectively and produced piezoelectric nanocomposite made of piezoelectric BaTiO ₃ NPs and NWs without toxic dispersion enhancers. Output performance of the fabricated flexible energy harvesters with varying the composition of NPs and NWs were investigated by the well-optimized measurement system during the periodical bending and unbending. A nanocomposite-based energy harvester with 4:1 wt ratio generated the maximum open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current of 60 V and 1.1 μA, respectively.