rGO-ZnSnO3 Nanostructure-Embedded Triboelectric Polymer-Based Hybridized Nanogenerators

Piezoelectric/ferroelectric zinc tin oxide (ZnSnO3) nanocubes (NCs) are synthesized via a hydrothermal synthesis process. Piezoelectric materials exhibit a superior dielectric property, strong electric dipole moment, and higher piezoelectric coefficient, which results in an improved electrical output of the nanogenerator. The synthesized ZnSnO3 NCs are embedded in triboelectric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer to employ the synergistic effect of ZnSnO3/PDMS composite polymer matrix (CPM), which creates a hybrid nanogenerator (HNG). The proposed HNG reveals a high electrical performance due to the improved dielectric constant as well as the synergistic effect of piezoelectricity and triboelectricity. Besides, a conductive filler material such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is synthesized using a modified Hummer's method and is further utilized to prepare an rGO-ZnSnO3/PDMS CPM for improving the electrical output performance of the HNG. Furthermore, the ZnSnO3 NCs and rGO-ZnSnO3 with different amounts are embedded into PDMS polymeric film to optimize the electrical performance of the HNG. The durability test of the proposed HNG device along with the robustness is investigated. Finally, the proposed HNG device is employed to harvest mechanical movements from daily life human activities to power various portable electronics.

Automated summary

Piezoelectric/ferroelectric zinc tin oxide (ZnSnO3) nanocubes were synthesized and embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer to create a hybrid nanogenerator (HNG). The electrical output performance of the HNG was improved by using reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a conductive filler material. The durability and robustness of the HNG device were investigated, and it was successfully used to harvest mechanical movements from daily life activities.