ZnFe₂O₄@PDMS composite film for mechanical energy harvesting and tactile sensing application

Multi-feature based nano- (and micro-) materials are highly promising candidates for mechanical energy harvesting. The impregnation of the nanocrystals in a polymer matrix modifies the electrical characteristics of a composite film; in consequence, it becomes a multifunctional composite membrane. Herein, we report cuboctahedron zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) microparticles in a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) (ZnFe₂O₄@PDMS)-based composite film for mechanical energy harvesting. Several composite films are prepared at different thicknesses and weight percentages (wt%). The composite film having a thickness of 750 μm and 4 wt% generates a maximum open-circuit voltage (V_oc), short-circuit current (I_sc) and power of 60 V, 7.4 μA and 97 μW, respectively, by applying the contact-and-separation mode of a triboelectric nanogenerator. In addition, the film generates non-separation V_oc of 800 mV and I_sc of 580 nA. Eventually, the composite films were employed for tactile sensing applications. Versatile property-based ZnFe₂O₄@PDMS films can be further explored for hybrid device applications also.