Boron Nitride Nanotube-Based Contact Electrification-Assisted Piezoelectric Nanogenerator as a Kinematic Sensor for Detecting the Flexion–Extension Motion of a Robot Finger

Abstract

An upsurge in interest in the area of robust robotic sensors has occurred in recent years, owing to human intervention in dangerous situations, even those potentially leading to death. Here, a mechanically robust boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)-based contact electrification-assisted piezoelectric nanogenerator (BCPENG) was fabricated and tested for its applicability as a robotic sensor with the aid of a triboelectric nanogenerator. High electrical outputs were observed when BNNTs were mixed with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) between the two copper electrode layers of the nanogenerator. The open-circuit voltage of 43.5 V and short-circuit current of 638 nA were generated at the optimized concentrations of 0.5 wt % BNNTs mixed with 0.1 wt % CNTs. Additionally, the energy band diagram and voltage–force relationship are used to analyze the piezoelectric output. This simple operation of the device using a three-dimensional printed finger as an application demonstrates the possibility of successful utilization of this device in kinematic sensors.