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Measuring Piezoelectric Output—Fact or Friction?
Author(s) -
Šutka Andris,
Sherrell Peter C.,
Shepelin Nick A.,
Lapčinskis Linards,
Mālnieks Kaspars,
Ellis Amanda V.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.202002979
Subject(s) - piezoelectricity , materials science , figure of merit , energy harvesting , polymer , ceramic , ferroelectric polymers , contact electrification , mechanical energy , piezoelectric sensor , composite material , mechanical engineering , energy (signal processing) , nanotechnology , triboelectric effect , optoelectronics , power (physics) , engineering , thermodynamics , statistics , physics , mathematics , copolymer
Piezoelectric polymers are emerging as exceptionally promising materials for energy harvesting. While the theoretical figures of merit for piezoelectric polymers are comparable to ceramics, the measurement techniques need to be retrofitted to account for the different mechanical properties of the softer polymeric materials. Here, how contact electrification, including friction and contact separation, is often mistaken for piezoelectric charge is examined, and a perspective for how to separate these effects is provided. The state of the literature is assessed, and recommendations are made for clear and simple guidelines in reporting, for both sample geometry and testing methods, to enable accurate determination of piezoelectric figures of merit in polymers. Such improvements will allow an understanding of what types of material manipulation are required in order to enhance the piezoelectric output from polymers and enable the next generation of polymer energy harvester design.