Synthesis of Orthorhombic Perovskite-Type ZnSnO₃ Single-Crystal Nanoplates and Their Application in Energy Harvesting

Abstract

In recent years, lead-free piezoelectric nanogenerators have attracted much attention because of their great potential for harvesting energy from the environment. Here, we report the first synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) single-crystal ZnSnO hexagon nanoplates and the fabrication of ZnSnO nanoplate-based nanogenerators. The orthorhombic perovskite-structured ZnSnO nanoplates with (111) facets of the exposed plate surface are successfully synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal reaction. Piezoelectric nanogenerators are then fabricated using the as-synthesized single-crystal ZnSnO nanoplates and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). A d value as high as 49 pC/N for the ZnSnO@PDMS composite was obtained without any electrical poling process, which demonstrates that the single-crystal ZnSnO nanoplates have a single-domain structure. To the best of our knowledge, this d value is also the highest among lead-free piezoelectric composites. A bending strain can induce the piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) to generate a large, stable, and sustainable output open circuit voltage of 20 V and a short circuit current of 0.6 μA, which are higher than many other PENGs. The output signals are sufficient to light a single light-emitting diode (LED), which shows the great potential of the material for scavenging mechanical energy from moving entities, such as road vehicles, railway vehicles, and humans.

Performance Enhancement of Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator via Doping and Rational 3D Structure Design For Self‐Powered Mechanosensational System

“…In order to improve the output performance of PENG, finding new materials with higher piezoelectric coefficients has become the most directed method. Up to now, various types of PENGs have been reported, such as PbZrTiO 3 (PZT), BaTiO 3 (BTO), (1− x )(PbMg 1/3 Nb 2/3 O 3 )– x (PbTiO 3 ) (PMN–PT), GaN, and ZnSnO 3 . Among them, PZT and PMN–PT, with high piezoelectric properties, have been investigated and applied extensively as piezoelectric materials candidates.…”

Facile synthesis of ZnFe2O4 photocatalysts for decolourization of organic dyes under solar irradiation

“…Since last decade, ternary transition metal oxides (TTMOs) have gained tremendous popularity in the field of photocatalysis by the scientific community. To exploit solar light more efficiently, photocatalysts with narrow band gap (e.g., ZnSnO 3 [ 2 ], Bi 2 WO 6 [ 3 ], Ce(MoO 4 ) 2 [ 4 ] and ZnFe 2 O 4 [ 5 ]) have been used, for absorbance of solar light in the visible region. Among ternary metal oxides, transition metal ferrites have drawn a great attention in the field of photocatalysis.…”

Preparation and characterization of heteroepitaxial Zn2SnO4 single crystalline films prepared on MgO (100) substrates

“…ZnSnO 3 , including a polar LiNbO 3 (LN)‐type (space group: R 3 c , No. 161) and a perovskite‐type structure, is a metastable phase, which can partially decomposed into SnO 2 and Zn 2 SnO 4 above 750°C in atmosphere ambient . Son et al reported that ZnSnO 3 thin film could heteroepitaxially grow on SrTiO 3 (111) substrate and show a high ferroelectric polarization.…”

“…161) and a perovskite-type structure, is a metastable phase, which can partially decomposed into SnO 2 and Zn 2 SnO 4 above 750°C in atmosphere ambient. 10,11 Son et al 12 reported that ZnSnO 3 thin film could heteroepitaxially grow on SrTiO 3 (111) substrate and show a high ferroelectric polarization. Zn 2 SnO 4 has an inverse spinel structure with a space group of Fdm.…”