Piezoelectric energy nanoharvester based on an array of ZnO whisker nanocrystals and a flat copper electrode

A piezoelectric low-power nanogenerator based on an array of ZnO whisker nanocrystals and a movable flat top electrode has been developed. It has been shown that this element generates ac current under the effect of mechanical vibrations with a frequency up to 100 Hz, which makes it possible to accumulate the capacitor charge. The investigation of the sample on a vibration stand under the acceleration of 9.8 m/s$^2$ has demonstrated that the stable variable signal from 50 mV to 1.5 V appears at a frequency of 20–120 Hz. The experimental dependence of the generated voltage on the weight of the load applied to the top electrode is obtained. The appearance of the ac signal is explained in the context of the classical piezoelectric effect, namely, the ZnO whisker nanocrystals in the starting state are already bent, and the different-sign charges are generated under the effect of mechanical vibrations during bending and unbending.