Energy harvesting nanogenerators: Electrospun β-PVDF nanofibers accompanying ZnO NPs and ZnO@Ag NPs

Abstract

This paper aims to demonstrate that synthesized nano-scale zinc oxide (ZnO) and different concentrations (1, 3 and 5 wt%) of silver-doped zinc oxide (ZnO@Ag) nanoparticles (NPs), which were employed to enhance the piezoelectric content of the electrospun β-phase poly (vinylidene fluoride) PVDF nanofibers, may be an alternative for usual semiconductor dopant. The structural and morphological properties of all the synthesized materials were investigated. The impedance and the capacitance values of the manufactured nanogenerators were also investigated at room temperature. The peak-to-peak amplitude output voltage data of ZnO NPs and ZnO@Ag NPs doped PVDF-based electrospun nanomats were measured using digital oscilloscope while a finger-tapping action at a frequency of ∼1 Hz was conducted. The electrical output of 5 wt% Ag-doped ZnO-based β-PVDF nanofibers increased from 0.5 to 1.5 V compared to undoped β-PVDF samples. These findings have a wide range of auspicious applications, including energy harvesting devices, portable electronic systems, and self-powered electrical gadgets that can be worn.