Piezoelectric Ribbons Printed onto Rubber for Flexible Energy Conversion

TLDR

Integrating efficient piezoelectric energy converters onto stretchable, biocompatible rubbers is desirable but hindered by high‑temperature crystallization that is incompatible with temperature‑sensitive plastics. The study presents a scalable, parallel method to transfer crystalline piezoelectric nanothick ribbons onto flexible rubbers across macroscopic areas. The method transfers lead zirconate titanate nanothick ribbons from host substrates onto rubber substrates, enabling large‑area, stretchable piezoelectric assemblies. Characterization shows the ribbons exhibit among the highest electromechanical conversion metrics on flexible media, suggesting promise for diverse research and applications.

Abstract

The development of a method for integrating highly efficient energy conversion materials onto stretchable, biocompatible rubbers could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems. Being electromechanically coupled, piezoelectric crystals represent a particularly interesting subset of smart materials that function as sensors/actuators, bioMEMS devices, and energy converters. Yet, the crystallization of these materials generally requires high temperatures for maximally efficient performance, rendering them incompatible with temperature-sensitive plastics and rubbers. Here, we overcome these limitations by presenting a scalable and parallel process for transferring crystalline piezoelectric nanothick ribbons of lead zirconate titanate from host substrates onto flexible rubbers over macroscopic areas. Fundamental characterization of the ribbons by piezo-force microscopy indicates that their electromechanical energy conversion metrics are among the highest reported on a flexible medium. The excellent performance of the piezo-ribbon assemblies coupled with stretchable, biocompatible rubber may enable a host of exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications.