Here, we introduce a 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) into the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix, which has been comparatively less explored in this field. Highly 2D Ni-MOF has been synthesized in this regard via hydrothermal route and has been incorporated into PVDF matrix via solvent casting technique with ultralow filler (0.5 wt%) loading. The polar phase percentage of 0.5 wt% Ni-MOF loaded PVDF film (NPVDF) has been found to be increased to ~85% from a value of ~55% for neat PVDF. The ultralow filler loading has inhibited the easy breakdown path along with increased dielectric permittivity and hence has enhanced the energy storage performance. On the other hand, significantly enriched polarity and Young’s Modulus has helped in improving its mechanical energy harvesting performance, thereby enhancing the human motion interactive sensing activities. The piezoelectric and piezo-tribo hybrid devices made up of NPVDF film have shown improved output power density of ~3.26 and 31 μW/cm² compared to those of the piezoelectric and piezo-tribo hybrid devices comprising of neat PVDF (output power density ~0.6 and 17 μW/cm², respectively). The developed composite can thus be considered an excellent candidate for multifunctional applications.

Small and micro-scale energy harvesting is an essential and viable option for the powering of portable and maintenance free electronic devices, wireless sensor nodes, and similar applications. In this regard, piezoelectric harvesters have presented promising outcomes. This article provides a sequential, comprehensive, and informative survey of potential well based models and studies related to piezoelectric harvesters (PEH). Piezoelectric materials used for energy harvesting are discussed briefly, following which a non-dimensional generalized model is derived to set the discussion on a common platform. Dynamics of various potential well configurations are presented using the generalized model before discussing specific models and related studies. The survey is classified into symmetric and asymmetric potential well categories. Under the symmetric head, lumped and distributed parameter linear models and tuning methods for improving the broadband response are discussed. Subsequently, studies related to nonlinear mono-stable, bi-stable, and tri-stable potentials showing interwell, multi-periodic and chaotic oscillations with improved broadband response are discussed. The asymmetric section studies the influence of asymmetries on the performance of the mono-stable, bi-stable, and tri-stable configurations. Few other configurations outside the cantilever type PEH were mentioned, realizing the widespread research in this field. Important observations and future challenges for performance improvement are also discussed.

This letter explores the benefits offered by an asymmetric monostable potential function over the conventional symmetric linear and bistable potential functions in broadband vibration energy harvesting. Multi-stable harvesters such as the bistable and tristable harvesters provide an order of magnitude higher power than the linear harvesters while undergoing inter-well oscillations. However, when the excitation noise levels are insufficient to trigger inter-well oscillations, such harvesters provide very low power output. We propose a monostable configuration with an asymmetric potential energy function that is capable of providing a high energy output starting from excitation levels as low as 0.005 g²/Hz (g denotes acceleration due to gravity). The superior performance of the proposed asymmetric configuration over the conventional linear and bistable configurations is demonstrated through experiments, considering a band-limited white noise excitation. The experimental results also indicate that the asymmetric configuration delivers higher power at lower strain levels than the bistable configuration, mitigating the burden on the piezoelectric transducer. Thus, the asymmetric configuration offers a two-fold advantage in energy harvesting, leading to an increase in both the power output and the lifetime of the piezoelectric transducer.