Silk fibroin-based biodegradable piezoelectric composite nanogenerators using lead-free ferroelectric nanoparticles

Abstract

Silk fibroin-based biodegradable composite-type nanogenerators are demonstrated with controllable lifetime for powering to the implantable devices. The 2D thin film- and 1D wire-type composites consist of the well-dispersed lead-free ferroelectric (BaTiO3, ZnSnO3, Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5TiO3, and K0.5Na0.5Nb0.995Mn0.005O3) nanoparticles. Ag nanowires are used to enhance the dispersion of the nanoparticles and polyvinylpyrrolidone prevents Ag nanowires from connecting with each other. A maximum output voltages and current densities of 2.2V and 0.12μA/cm2 in the thin film, and 1.8V and 0.1μA/cm2 in the wire are obtained under the motion of a foot step for when 30wt% KNN:Mn nanoparticles are well-dispersed in the solution because of the largest piezoelectric coupling figure of merit. The properties of water-soluble composite films are also controlled with the glycerol content up to two days.