A new insight towards eggshell membrane as high energy conversion efficient bio-piezoelectric energy harvester

Abstract

Bio-inspired piezoelectric materials have been considered as excellent energy harvesting source for their non-toxic and biocompatibility nature which have ability to generate and supply significant power to the energy deficient world without any environmental pollution. Till date, fabrication of bio-piezoelectric nanogenerator (BPNG) with high power density and high energy conversion efficiency is of great concern. Here, we have explored the potentiality of an inexpensive and bio-waste porous eggshell membrane (ESM) as an efficient piezoelectric material with piezoelectric strength of ≈23.7 pC/N. The fabricated bio-nanogenerator (ESMBPNG) provides high output voltage (≈26.4 V), current (≈1.45 μA) and high energy conversion efficiency of ≈63% with maximum instantaneous power density (≈238.17 μW/cm3) under mechanical stress of ≈81.6 kPa. Assembling five ESMBPNGs provides an output voltage of ≈131 V that lights-up more than 90 green LEDs and produced ≈6 μA current in series and parallel connections, respectively, suggesting its effectiveness towards commercialization. Moreover, ESMBPNG is ultrasensitive towards very minute pressure arising from pulse, body motions at rest and walking conditions, water drop, and writing on the device as well. This work would have a significant role towards up-lifting the green energy harvesting technology as self-powered implantable and wearable electronics. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd