Enhanced mechanical and piezoelectric properties of BCZT-CuY/rGO-based nanogenerator for tiny energy harvesting

Abstract BCZT-CuY/rGO/PDMS composites with excellent elasticity and flexibility, and their nanogenerators (NGs) with favorable electrical properties, were fabricated. The impact of rGO on the dispersion of BCZT-CuY, the mechanical properties of BCZT-CuY/rGO/PDMS, and electrical performance of BCZT-CuY/rGO-based NGs were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the distribution of BCZT-CuY in PDMS with added rGO was much more uniform than that without rGO. Moreover, its elastic modulus and elongation at the break increased to 4.6 MPa and 250%, respectively, with the introduction of rGO. Apart from a high d33 at the percolation threshold, the average VOC (1.36 V) and ISC (35nA) achieved by finger tapping BCZT-CuY/rGO-based NGs suggested their considerable potential in harvesting tiny energy.