Scale-like compliant gold electrode: Towards high strain capacitive devices for energy harvesting

J. Galineau (1) , J.-F. Capsal (1) , P.-J. Cottinet (1) , M. Lallart (1)

1 LGEF - Laboratoire de Génie Electrique et Ferroélectricité

Highly compliant electrodes are of primary importance for high strain capacitive energy harvesting. Herein, we present a compliant gold sputtered electrode on a natural rubber substrate. Electrical conductivity remained remarkably good even at strains of 500%. The robustness of the electrodes has been assessed in fatigue tests and resistivity of less than 25 Ω cm -1 were observed after 1500 cycles between 200% and 300% strain. These electrodes were then used in harvesting energy for large strains and experimental energy densities up to 3.3 mJ cm-3 cycle-1 have been recorded, showing the capabilities of such electrodes for efficiently ensuring electrical contact under high strain for converting mechanical energy into electricity. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Mots clés: Conducting polymers; Electrodes; Energy harvesting; Fatigue testing; Gold; Capacitive devices; Compliant electrodes; Electrical conductivity; Electrical contacts; Electro-active polymers; Harvesting energies; Mechanical energies; Sputtered electrodes; Strain

Domaines: Sciences de l'ingénieur [physics]

J. Galineau, J.-F. Capsal, P.-J. Cottinet, M. Lallart. Scale-like compliant gold electrode: Towards high strain capacitive devices for energy harvesting. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical , 2014, 211, pp.1-7. ⟨10.1016/j.sna.2014.02.034⟩. ⟨hal-01770282⟩