Double Nanocomposites-Based Piezoelectric Nanogenerators for High-Performance Energy Harvester

High-performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) based on double composite films, composed of a thin micropillar array and a thick film layer of lead zirconate titanate (PZT)–poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), are fabricated. Compared with that of PNG devices with a single composite film, the double nanocomposite-based PNG exhibits a high output voltage of 48 V and a current of 3 μA with an instantaneous output power density of 76.5 mW/m2. This remarkable enhancement in PNG performance is attributed to the geometrical strain confinement of the piezoelectric micropillars and the high piezoelectric potential of the double nanocomposite films. The high output power generation from a double-nanocomposite-based PNG can be used to operate light-emitting diodes and harvest biomechanical energy. Furthermore, the proposed energy harvester represents a strategy for the development of high-efficiency PNGs and offers perspectives into development of energy resources for portable, wearable, and self-powered electronic devices.