Dynamic Pluronic F127 Crosslinking Enhancement of Biopolymeric Nanocomposites for Piezo-Triboelectric Single-Hybrid Nanogenerators and Self-Powered Sensors

Small. 2023 May;19(21):e2207384. doi: 10.1002/smll.202207384. Epub 2023 Feb 3.

Abstract

Biomechanical and nanomechanical energy harvesting systems have gained a wealth of interest, resulting in a plethora of research into the development of biopolymeric-based devices as sustainable alternatives. Piezoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid nanogenerator devices for electrical applications are engineered and fabricated using innovative, sustainable, facile-approach flexible composite films with high performance based on bacterial cellulose and BaTiO3 , intrinsically and structurally enhanced by Pluronic F127, a micellar cross-linker. The voltage and current outputs of the modified versions with multiwalled carbon nanotube as a conductivity enhancer and post-poling effect are 38 V and 2.8 µA cm-2 , respectively. The multiconnective devices' power density can approach 10 µW cm-2 . The rectified output power is capable of charging capacitors, driving light-emitting diode lights, powering a digital watch and interfacing with a commercial microcontroller board to operate as a piezoresistive force sensor switch as a proof of concept. Magnetoelectric studies show that the composites have the potential to be incorporated into magnetoelectric systems. The biopolymeric composites prove to be desirable candidates for multifunctional energy harvesters and electronic devices.

Keywords: biopolymeric composites; nanogenerators; piezoelectric-piezoresistive sensors; self-powered energy systems.