Array pattern effects on the voltage output of vertically aligned BaTiO 3 nanotubular flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator

The advancement of lead-free piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) for flexible electronics necessitates designing more efficient systems for improved energy storage capacity. In this light, the effects of patterning BaTiO 3 nanotubes within PENG on the electromechanical properties of the device were investigated. The PENGs comprised a sandwich structure of Ti–BaTiO 3 –graphite–Ti encapsulated in polydimethylsiloxane. Four patterns of vertically aligned BaTiO 3 nanotubes were synthesized via the hydrothermal conversion of selectively-anodized TiO 2 nanotubes. The highest output voltage reached up to 1.9 V. Decreasing the nanotube array spacing and pattern diameter increased the lateral displacement of BaTiO 3 therefore, increasing the output voltage of the device.