Transparent Piezoelectric Nanogenerator for Self-Powered Force Sensing Applications

Piezoelectric materials have been widely used as dynamic force sensors, accelerometers, and energy harvesters. Herein, we report the poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-tetrafluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) based transparent piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) as a self-powered force sensor. The 2 x 2 array of PENGs was fabricated by sandwiching the P(VDF-TrFE) film between two indium tin oxide-based electrodes. The device demonstrated good stable and repeatable piezoelectric response (sensitivity of 0.3 V N-1), which increased linearly with externally applied compressive force. The output voltage of the devices varied with the frequency of the external force application, and they showed a sensitivity of 0.25 V Hz(-1) between 2 and 10 Hz frequency. The excellent dynamic force sensing response, transparency, and self-power feature make presented devices ideally suited for applications such as see-through smart plaster that allow wound healing monitoring without removing the plaster.