High-Performance Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator for Next-Generation Wireless Healthcare Monitoring

Abstract

Recent developments point to the efficacy of P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO₃ composites as means to improve functionality of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG). In this work we develop a flexible and efficient PENG based on a poly(vinylideneflouoride-trifluroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) and barium titanate (BaTiO₃) composite, designated PVTB composite nanofibers. The barium titanate matrix improves overall piezoelectric response due to high dielectric constant and spontaneous polarization properties of BaTiO₃, and P(VDF-TrFE) provides excellent flexibility and processability. The resultant PENG demonstrates significant promise for use in self-powered electronic systems, producing electrical energy from mechanical energy. The composite nanofiber has an open circuit voltage (V_OC) of 40 V and short circuit current (I_SC) of 20 µA, yielding a power density of 1.8 W/m², indicating effective energy conversion performance under mechanical excitation. Finally, results show that nano engineering that enhances device sensitivity and durability opens new pathways towards the next generation of flexible, multifunctional energy scavenging devices for use in wireless healthcare monitoring of patients.