Nanowire-based flexible P(VDF-TrFE) nanogenerator for simultaneously harvesting mechanical and thermal energies

This paper presents a high performance flexible nanogenerator based on P(VDF-TrFE) nanowire array that is capable of simultaneously harvesting mechanical and thermal energies. The nanowire array was synthesized by template-wetting P(VDF-TrFE) polymer into anodic aluminum oxide. The oriented β crystalline phase of the aligned P(VDF-TrFE) nanowires formed from nanoconfinement in AAO template nanoporous has been demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Under periodic mechanical bending, electric signals are repeatedly generated from the hybrid device and the measured output voltages reach 5.6V. Besides, upon exposure heat-cool condition with a temperature range of 7 K around room temperature, pyroelectric output up to 3.0V/50nA was observed and used to directly drive a LCD screen. Finally, the piezoelectric and pyroelectric output voltages were successfully integrated together under application of mechanical tapping and thermal irradiation at the same time. These results demonstrate the great potential of the flexible hybrid nanogenerator for self-powered electronic devices.