Piezoelectric/Triboelectric Micro Generators for Self-powered Autonomous Wireless Sensors

Abstract

In recent decades, there has been a significant surge in energy consumption, predominantly fueled by the use of fossil fuels. However, this reliance on fossil fuels has resulted in a range of global issues, primarily due to the escalating carbon levels in the environment. To address the growing energy demand and mitigate environmental concerns, there has been a gradual global transition towards renewable energy sources. Through ongoing research and the persistent efforts of scientists, various materials have been developed to harness energy from previously overlooked sources, such as piezoelectric and triboelectric materials. Although only a limited number of these materials have been successfully commercialized, triboelectric materials have demonstrated significant potential for large-scale energy generation. This article focuses on the progress and experimentation involving a Hybrid Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Nanogenerator. The proposed study employed Bismuth Sodium Titanate-PDMS Composite as a Hybrid Piezoelectric and Triboelectric Material. The morphology was analyzed on Scanning electron microscopy. The phase analysis was done using X-Ray diffraction, which confirms its hexagonal structure. The chemical properties were observed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy while vibrational modes of molecules were analyzed by RAMAN Spectroscopy. The electrical performance of the nanogenerator was tested by using a digital oscilloscope. The results showed that the output voltage of the nanogenerator reached at most about 23V and the output current reached around 46µA. With these results, they can be industrially perfected and commercialized. The continuous movement of water has the potential to be efficiently converted into energy, serving as a reliable source of electricity. Additionally, it can be harnessed to capture energy from human body motion and function as motion sensors. Through advancements in technology and ongoing research on triboelectric materials, we can effectively address the energy crisis.