Self-Powered device enabled by a Chemically Etched MXene/P(VDF-TrFE) composite for ambient Energy Harvesting

Abstract

In the energy domain, Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters offer a sustainable solution for converting ambient mechanical energy into usable electrical power for self-powered devices. In our work, we present a flexible and efficient piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) based on a composite film of poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] and MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ) nanosheets. MXene (Ti₃C₂Tₓ) nanosheets were synthesized via a chemical etching method and uniformly dispersed within the P(VDF-TrFE) matrix to fabricate composite films via a solution casting and annealing method. These were incorporated into P(VDF-TrFE) matrix to enhance the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the composite. Different weight percentages of MXene were incorporated to analyse the effect on electroactive property. The incorporation of MXene facilitates improved β-phase crystallinity and interfacial polarization, leading to enhanced energy harvesting performance. The optimized composite film exhibited a maximum output AC voltage of 26 V and peak power of 50 µW under periodic mechanical stress and also have some sensing response upon different types of mechanical stresses. This study highlights the synergistic role of MXene in enhancing the electromechanical conversion efficiency of P(VDF-TrFE) and offers a promising strategy for the development of next-generation self-powered wearable electronics, flexible sensors