Piezoelectric flexible generator based on Mn-doped ZnO/PVDF composite films for energy harvesting application

A flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting device was manufactured using Mn-doped ZnO (MnZ)/poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composite film of various proportions of MnZ particles (5 wt%, 10 wt%, 20 wt% and 30 wt%) within the PVDF matrix. The phase formation, crystallinity and morphological characteristics of the fabricated composite films were analysed with the help of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The piezoelectric performance of the constructed piezoelectric generator (PEG) device was measured by applying force on its surface which produced a significantly high open-circuit voltage of 344V and power density of 4.53 mW/cm². Besides, these lead-free composite devices demonstrated remarkable sensitivity for human body motion detection in punching, finger bending, and wrist bending. Furthermore, practical usage of the fabricated PEG device was shown by powering devices like wristwatches, digital thermometers and glowing 20 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different colours.