Perovskite V–NaNbO3 embedded PDMS composite film-based robust hybrid nanogenerator for efficient mechanical energy harvesting

Recently, perovskites are attracting great attention in the field of energy harvesting through triboelectric nanogenerators as a promising technology owing to their easy synthesis process, ferroelectric/dielectric nature, and low toxicity. Herein, we proposed the vanadium-doped sodium niobate (NaNbO3) (V–NaNbO; VNNb)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite film-based hybrid nanogenerators (HNGs) for mechanical/biomechanical energy harvesting. Initially, the perovskite NNb and VNNb microparticles (MPs) were synthesized and mixed inside PDMS to form a negative triboelectric film. The aluminum film was used as a positive triboelectric material and to support the waste-to-wealth concept, discarded plastic was used as a substrate material. Various HNGs were assembled and operated in a contact-separation mode and a comparative study of variation in electrical output depending on the type/amount of filler particles was thoroughly investigated. The VNNb/PDMS-based HNG produced an enhanced electrical output of ∼200 V, ∼5.7 μA, 4.8 W/m2 as compared to the bare PDMS- and NNb/PDMS-based HNGs. The fabricated HNG was robust and generated a highly stable electrical output that was further utilized to charge capacitors and power small electronics. Moreover, owing to the flexible nature and highly efficient electrical output of the HNG, it was successfully demonstrated as a biomechanical energy harvester.