Flexoelectric energy harvester based on soft semi-conducting polymer films - Archive ouverte HAL Accéder directement au contenu
Communication Dans Un Congrès Année : 2023

Flexoelectric energy harvester based on soft semi-conducting polymer films

Résumé

A flexoelectric micro generator able to harvest mechanical energy from large localized curvature variations along multilayer polymer films is proposed. The energy conversion is based on direct flexoelectricity, which is a universal effect in all solid dielectrics that corresponds to the appearance of an electrical polarization induced by a deformation gradient. This “flexoelectric technology” is a potential alternative to energy harvesting with piezoelectrics without the need for applying large electric field for inducing macroscopic piezoelectric effect and thus eliminates associated problems such as leakage and breakdown. The micro-generators are made from a solution of semi-conducting (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) deposited as a free-standing thin film. This material is lead-free and biocompatible, ideal for applications in the medical field. The developed thin films exhibit a very large flexoelectric coefficient > 50 μC/m (1000 times higher than insulating polymer films) and a high flexibility which allows them to withstand large deformation. The electrical characterization of the films was performed using a mechanical roller to apply a low frequency bending radius to the micro-generator and recovering the output flexoelectric current. We were able to obtain a current density of about 2.2 μA/cm2 at 2 Hz for a curvature of 62 m-1. The electrical characterization under slow air flow (< 6 m/s) was also carried out in wind tunnel in order to demonstrate the aero-electric potentialities of the micro-generators. The combination of flexibility and flexoelectricity allows the integration of these films into devices for low frequency (<20 Hz) mechanical energy conversion.
Fichier non déposé

Dates et versions

hal-04234279 , version 1 (10-10-2023)

Identifiants

  • HAL Id : hal-04234279 , version 1

Citer

Julien Le Scornec, Benoit Guiffard. Flexoelectric energy harvester based on soft semi-conducting polymer films. EMRS (European Materials Research Society ) 2023 Fall Meeting, Sep 2023, Warsaw, Poland. ⟨hal-04234279⟩
29 Consultations
2 Téléchargements

Partager

Gmail Facebook X LinkedIn More