Recent Advances on Conducting Polymers Based Nanogenerators for Energy Harvesting

Abstract

With the rapid growth of numerous portable electronics, it is critical to develop high-performance, lightweight, and environmentally sustainable energy generation and power supply systems. The flexible nanogenerators, including piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG) and triboelectric nanogenerators (TENG), are currently viable candidates for combination with personal devices and wireless sensors to achieve sustained energy for long-term working circumstances due to their great mechanical qualities, superior environmental adaptability, and outstanding energy-harvesting performance. Conductive materials for electrode as the critical component in nanogenerators, have been intensively investigated to optimize their performance and avoid high-cost and time-consuming manufacture processing. Recently, because of their low cost, large-scale production, simple synthesis procedures, and controlled electrical conductivity, conducting polymers (CPs) have been utilized in a wide range of scientific domains. CPs have also become increasingly significant in nanogenerators. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on CP-based PENG and TENG for biomechanical energy harvesting. A thorough overview of recent advancements and development of CP-based nanogenerators with various configurations are presented and prospects of scientific and technological challenges from performance to potential applications are discussed.

Recent Progress on Hydrogel-Based Piezoelectric Devices for Biomedical Applications

“…Human skin is a biological tissue organ that is soft, stretchy, water-rich, and breathable. To meet the requirements of flexibility and conformability from human skin, many soft piezoelectric devices with different stretchable substrates have been investigated, including silicon elastomers [ 24 , 25 ], conducting polymers [ 26 , 27 ], textiles [ 28 ], and aerogels [ 29 ]. However, the majority of synthetic skin materials (such as elastomers and textiles) reported thus far have high moduli, are water- and airtight, and do not resemble the physical and mechanical characteristics of human skin.…”

Mylar Interlayer-Mediated Performance Enhancement of a Flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Pressure Sensing Application

“…15,16 In addition, the presence of both electron-withdrawing functional groups and nitro (NO 2 )] and electron-donating functional groups [such as amide group (CONH), amino (NH 2 ), OH group, and alkoxy (OR)] facilitates the charge transfer mechanism during contact electrification. 17,18 Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) are some widely used triboelectric polymers. 19−24 As a frictional material for TENG application, polyvinyl butyral (PVB, also known as Butvar) can be an ideal candidate, which is an important class of polyvinyl acetals belonging to the group of thermoplastic polymers.…”

“…The TENG incorporated with flexible electronics technology enabled the development of sensors and wearable electronics that are battery-free. Flexible TENGs have taken progressive advancements over rigid TENGs in recent times. − The triboelectric effect in polymers has made the TENG device extremely flexible with ease of fabrication and are frequently utilized in many electronic devices that require bending, stretching, and folding. , In addition, the presence of both electron-withdrawing functional groups [such as fluorine (F), carboxyl (COOH), ester group (COOR), cyano group (CN), and nitro (NO 2 )] and electron-donating functional groups [such as amide group (CONH), amino (NH 2 ), OH group, and alkoxy (OR)] facilitates the charge transfer mechanism during contact electrification. , Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) are some widely used triboelectric polymers. − As a frictional material for TENG application, polyvinyl butyral (PVB, also known as Butvar) can be an ideal candidate, which is an important class of polyvinyl acetals belonging to the group of thermoplastic polymers. A great deal of acceptance was gained by PVB due to its relatively low environmental impacts in addition to its excellent flexibility, film-forming capability, and adhesion to substrates .…”

Influence of the Foaming Process on the Burning Behavior of the PET–PEN Copolymer

“…The polymer foam expands its applications in the areas of building insulation, aircraft, automobile, and packaging materials through its light weight, high heat resistance, and noise reduction characteristics. − Recently, it enlarged its uses to thermal energy storage, − energy harvesting, − and bioengineering. − …”