Environmental friendly multifunctional energy harvester and energy storage: A strain engineered perovskite oxide composite

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2025-01, Vol.503, Article 158486
• Main Authors: Sengupta, Payal, Ghosal, Arijit, Haldar, Saubhik, Ray, Ruma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Flexible; Oxide Perovskite; Piezocatalysis; Piezoelectric nanogenerator; Piezoelectric supercapacitor; Self-charging; Self-powered
• ISSN: 1385-8947
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.158486

[Display omitted] •Enviromental friendly lead-free non-toxic piezoelectric nanogenerator.•Strain inducement at the interface of NdMnO3 and PVDF matrix is proposed and supported by Rietveld analysis of XRD.•Enhanced β-phase (~89.71%) of PVDF and piezoelectric performance of thecomposite due to NdMnO3 nanoparticle integration.•Development of a self-charging flexible piezoelectric supercapacitor.•Flexible energy harvester also acts as piezocatalyst. Piezoelectric energy harvesters are currently regarded as a promising solution to meet the escalating demand for power by harnessing abundant mechanical energy from the environment, thereby addressing the environmental challenges of fossil fuel usage. However, the efficient storage of this harvested energy remains a significant concern. In this context, the development of a self-charging, flexible piezoelectric supercapacitor represents a breakthrough as it not only converts mechanical energy into electrical energy but also stores it within a single unit. Our design involves a piezo nanogenerator utilizing NdMnO3@PVDF films, which have demonstrated a substantial response with an open circuit voltage (VOC) of approximately 50 V and a short circuit current (ISC) of about 30 μA under periodic dynamic strain. These output characteristics ensure its practical application in Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The energy generated is stored effectively in commercially available capacitors, capable of powering multiple green and blue LEDs. Incorporating sol–gel-driven NdMnO3 nanoparticles into PVDF has led to a significant formation of the β phase (∼89.71 %) and notably high VOC. This observed piezoelectric effect is likely due to strain induced at the interface of NdMnO3 nanoparticles embedded within the PVDF matrix, corroborated by XRD analysis. Using Universal Force Field (UFF) , energy optimization through molecular mechanics was also performed for NdMnO3@PVDF composite which satisfactorily substantiates the distortion induced in NdMnO3. Moreover, EDAX data indicating oxygen deficiency (NdMnO3-δ) may suggest ferroelectric behaviour and consequently enhances the piezoelectric performance of NdMnO3-δ. XPS analysis of the NdMnO3@PVDF composite confirms the coexistence of Mn2+ and Mn3+, supporting the observed oxygen deficiency in NdMnO3-δ. Exploration into the potential of a self-charging piezoelectric supercapacitor (SCPSC), using the same composite as a separator, demonstrates a significant capacitance of 41.37 mF cm−2