Issue 9, 2023

Alkyl-C60 liquid electrets as deformable mechanoelectric generators

Abstract

Special attention is being paid to the potential applicability of various soft electronics in deformable/wearable devices. These devices must be constantly connected to energy sources to ensure their uninterrupted operation. Electrets, which are capable of retaining quasi-permanent electric charges inside or on the surface of materials, are expected to be a battery-less power source. Here, we present a strategy for harvesting the charges in alkyl-C60 liquids. Suitable substitution of bulky yet flexible branched long-alkyl chains generated C60-mono-adducts and regioisomeric bis-adducts as room-temperature solvent-free liquids. These alkyl–C60 liquids were negatively poled by the corona-discharging and soaked in nylon fabric. The liquid of the C60 bis-adduct exhibited better charge retention in comparison to the liquid of the C60 mono-adduct. This suggests that the bulky long-alkyl chains provided proper insulation for the C60 core and charge trapping in the liquid. This charge-trapping behaviour and the inherent fluidity of the alkyl-C60 liquids enabled their fabrication into deformable mechanoelectric generator (MEG) devices. The MEG exhibited applicability as a deformable micropower source or vibration sensor by generating output voltage pulses even under folded/twisted/rolled conditions. The alkylated-liquid-based MEGs worked at frequencies similar to human body motion, showing promising potential for body motion sensors and healthcare applications.

Graphical abstract: Alkyl-C60 liquid electrets as deformable mechanoelectric generators

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
29 3月 2023
Accepted
15 6月 2023
First published
15 6月 2023

Mater. Horiz., 2023,10, 3458-3466

Alkyl-C60 liquid electrets as deformable mechanoelectric generators

R. K. Gupta, M. Yoshida, A. Saeki, Z. Guo and T. Nakanishi, Mater. Horiz., 2023, 10, 3458 DOI: 10.1039/D3MH00485F

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