Research Projects

This project aims to integrate energy harvesting systems (solar cells, nano-generators) with energy storage systems (batteries or supercapacitors) to create self-charging power cells (SCPCs). The piezoelectric material-based nanogenerator is an effective energy harvester that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, while supercapacitors are advanced energy storage devices with high energy density, better charge-discharge rate, and cycle stability than batteries. The project proposes combining the nanogenerator with supercapacitor intrinsically using piezoelectric concepts, which would act as a multifunctional device and mitigate problems in wearable electronics. Several reports of SCPCs harvesting electrical energy from mechanical energy using piezoelectric electrochemical conversion processes have not met the desired efficiency for practical applications. To achieve high performance, a specific strategy is proposed to design electrode materials. The project proposes fabricating battery-type Metal organic framework (MOF) derived bimetallic phosphide and its composites as positive electrodes and capacitive-type metal sufide and its composite as negative electrodes. MOF derived bimetallic phosphide could be a potential electrode material due to its better conductivity, mechanical, thermal stability, and manifold valence states for redox reactions. The piezoelectric principle (high self-charging voltage) will be achieved using optimized piezoelectric separators (PVDF-based-separator) instead of conventional separators and electrolytes. A flexible supercapacitor device will be fabricated by separating two electrode materials with a piezo separator filling with the appropriate electrolyte. The unique self-charging capability coupled with hybrid electrochemical devices could open a way for portable wearable electronics applications.