Mechanical energy harvesting via a plasticizer-modified electrostrictive polymer

X. Yin (1) , M. Lallart (1) , P.-J. Cottinet (1) , D. Guyomar (1) , J.-F. Capsal (1)

1 LGEF - Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Ferroélectricité

A plasticizer-modified electrostrictive terpolymer with improved electromechanical properties was investigated for mechanical energy harvesting via a pseudo-piezoelectric cycle. Experimental results indicate that the modified terpolymer exhibited improved energy harvesting performances in contrast with the pure terpolymer. A maximum generated short-circuit current of 3.635 μA (much higher than the leakage current) and a power density of 607 μW/cm3 were observed for modified terpolymer. Based on the quadric relationship between the energy conversion efficiency and the DC bias electric field, an energy conversion efficiency as high as 34% and a corresponding electrical power density of 4.31 mW/cm3 could be achieved for the modified terpolymer working at a DC bias electric field of 30 MV/m. © 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.

Mots clés: Conversion efficiency; Electric fields; Energy conversion; Plasticizers; Reinforced plastics; Dc bias electric fields; Electrical power density; Electromechanical property; Electrostrictive; Electrostrictive polymers; Mechanical energies; Power densities; Energy harvesting

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

X. Yin, M. Lallart, P.-J. Cottinet, D. Guyomar, J.-F. Capsal. Mechanical energy harvesting via a plasticizer-modified electrostrictive polymer. Applied Physics Letters, 2016, 108 (4), ⟨10.1063/1.4939859⟩. ⟨hal-01769142⟩