Layer-Controlled Perovskite 2D Nanosheet Interlayer for the Energy Storage Performance of Nanocomposites.

Polymer-based nanocomposites are desirable materials for next-generation dielectric capacitors. 2D dielectric nanosheets have received significant attention as a filler. However, randomly spreading the 2D filler causes residual stresses and agglomerated defect sites in the polymer matrix, which leads to the growth of an electric tree, resulting in a more premature breakdown than expected.

Ferroelectric Polymer Nanofibers Reminiscent of Morphotropic Phase Boundary Behavior for Improved Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting.

Ferroelectric and piezoelectric polymers have attracted great attention from many research and engineering fields due to its mechanical robustness and flexibility as well as cost-effectiveness and easy processibility. Nevertheless, the electrical performance of piezoelectric polymers is very hard to reach that of piezoelectric ceramics basically and physically, even in the case of the representative ferroelectric polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)). Very recently, the concept for the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), which has been exclusive in the field of high-performance piezoelectric ceramics, has been surprisingly confirmed in P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric copolymers by the groups.

Modulation of surface physics and chemistry in triboelectric energy harvesting technologies.

Mechanical energy harvesting technology converting mechanical energy wasted in our surroundings to electrical energy has been regarded as one of the critical technologies for self-powered sensor network and Internet of Things (IoT). Although triboelectric energy harvesters based on contact electrification have attracted considerable attention due to their various advantages compared to other technologies, a further improvement of the output performance is still required for practical applications in next-generation IoT devices. In recent years, numerous studies have been carried out to enhance the output power of triboelectric energy harvesters.