Green nanoarchitectonics with PEDOT:PSS–gelatin composite for moisture-responsive actuator and generator

Abstract With improvements in energy conversion efficiency and diversification of conversion manner, devices through natural evaporation from water reservoirs have potential to become an avenue to harvest energy. Using green, sustainable and biocompatible components is ever greater interesting for construction of humidity-induced actuator and generator. Here we demonstrate that green nanoarchitectonics with the bio-friendly poly(3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)–gelatin have good mechanical and humidity responsive properties which can use to construct moisture-responsive actuator and generator. The PEDOT:PSS–gelatin film actuator is fabricated by simple spin-coating, in which PEDOT:PSS is introduced into natural gelatin to increase the mechanical intensity due to hydrogen bond and interpenetrated network between rigid PEDOT:PSS chains and protein molecules. The PEDOT:PSS–gelatin film combined with piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) film can be driven into the movement by humidity. The PEDOT:PSS–gelatin film and the driven PVDF film as actuator and generator generates piezoelectric signal. The bio-friendly evaporation-driven generator may have applications in self-powering biomedicine robotic system and sensors.