Surface modified hybrid ZnSnO3 nanocubes for enhanced piezoelectric power generation and wireless sensory application

Authors

Sk Md Ali Zaker Shawon, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Zaida D. Carballo, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Valeria Suarez Vega, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Chen Lin
Muhammad Sufian Rafaqut
Andrew Xu Sun
James Li
Mohammed Jasim Uddin, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2022

Abstract

Piezoelectric Nanogenerators (PENGs), which can convert ambient mechanical stimuli into electrical energy, are held in high regard due to their cost-effectiveness, energy harvesting applications, and potential as self-powered sensors. We report an aluminum-doped zinc stannate (ZnSnO3) PENG that can achieve high electrical outputs with respect to the external force. In order to enrich the piezoelectric mechanics, a low-temperature solution method was adopted in our work to synthesize ZnSnO3 nanocubes with an average side length of only 30 – 55 nm. Furthermore, ZnSnO3 was doped with 1 wt% to 5 wt% of aluminum nanoparticles. We report that 2 wt% of aluminum doped ZnSnO3 showed the highest electrical output in terms of open circuit voltages and short circuit current. The nanogenerator device achieved an average open-circuit voltage of 80 V to 175 V with a frequency range of 60 BPM (Beats Per Minute) to 240 BPM, an unprecedented electrical output in comparison to current ZnSnO3 -based PENGs. With the presented high output-to-size ratio taken into consideration, the device was mounted in a helmet and tested as an energy harvester and wireless human motion sensor, which can generate electric charge as well as detect human movements and transmit the corresponding signals wirelessly. Our work- is indicative of a promising smart helmet using organic-inorganic hybrid materials.

Comments

Original published version available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106653

Recommended Citation

Shawon, Sk Md Ali Zaker, Zaida D. Carballo, Valeria Suarez Vega, Chen Lin, Muhammad Sufian Rafaqut, Andrew Xu Sun, J. James Li, and M. Jasim Uddin. 2022. “Surface Modified Hybrid ZnSnO3 Nanocubes for Enhanced Piezoelectric Power Generation and Wireless Sensory Application.” Nano Energy 92 (February): 106653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106653.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.

Publication Title

Nano Energy

DOI

10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106653