Functionalized Graphene Reinforced Composite Nanofiber Membrane for Efficient Pyroelectric Energy Harvesting and...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Pyroelectric effect for thermal energy harvesting is underexplored.
• Advanced energy conversion systems require efficient thermal energy harvesting solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and demonstrate a high-performance, flexible hybrid pyroelectric nanogenerator (PyNG).
• To investigate the potential of CdS-reduced graphene oxide (CdS-rGO) nanocomposite and PEDOT:PSS electrodes for enhanced pyroelectric performance.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a flexible PyNG using PVDF electrospun nanofiber mats embedded with CdS-rGO nanocomposite and layered with PEDOT:PSS electrodes.
• Characterization of pyroelectric coefficient and thermal energy harvesting performance under infrared triggering.
• Density functional theory (DFT) simulations to understand molecular interactions.

Main Results:

• Achieved the highest reported pyroelectric coefficient (≈63 µC/(m²K)) for PVDF-nanofiber-based devices.
• Demonstrated excellent infrared-triggered thermal energy harvesting, generating 2.55 V/0.8 nA.
• DFT simulations confirmed enhanced molecular interactions contributing to improved performance.

Conclusions:

• The developed PyNG shows significant potential for advanced thermal energy harvesting.
• The device can be utilized as a self-powered sensor for real-time respiration monitoring in N-95 masks.
• This technology promises next-generation wearable sensors for personal health monitoring and early detection of respiratory illnesses.