Executive Summary : | In order to meet the world's energy needs and enable the sustainable and maintenance-free operation of microelectronics, a group of technologies known as energy harvesting has gained prominence by transforming the parasitic ambient energy present in our surroundings into valuable electrical energy. In this context, harvesting mechanical energy via advanced nanogenerator technology is far-reaching and innovative. Two main nanogenerator technologies—piezoelectric and triboelectric, have flourished rapidly and effectively to fulfill the energy need of microelectronic devices due to their independence from location and environmental constraints. MXenes a class of two dimensional (2D) metal nitrides, carbonitrides and carbides have acquired widespread attention as strong candidates in nanogenerator technologies due to their high electronegativity, high surface area, excellent metallic conductivity, and better charge trapping characteristics in comparison to the other materials which enable us to harvest the mechanical energy more efficiently. Therefore, in the direction of developing a highly potent and flexible material for the nanogenerator while taking advantage of MXenes superior properties, we will synthesize MXene nanosheets and mix them in the polymer matrix to fabricate flexible polymer/MXenes composite films, which will be used to design a nanogenerator. As addition of the nanofillers in the polymer matrix is one of the simplest routes to enhance the performance of the flexible polymer based nanogenerator in comparison to other methods, such as, surface functionalization, electrical poling, charge injection, and chemical modification, which are expensive and impede their practical application in large-scale production. In the present project proposal, experimental endeavors will focus on enhancing the performance of the polymer/MXene based nanogenerator by fabricating the nanofibers of polymer composites, as surface morphology also play important role in device performance, use of new MXenes materials which are less explored in nanogenerator application, combining the MXenes materials with 2D transition metal dichalcogenides and hybridization of triboelectric nanogenerator with piezoelectric nanogenerator. Furthermore, the properties of polymer composite films used in the fabrication of nanogenerators will be investigated using various characterization techniques, such as, Raman Spectroscopy, piezoresponse force microscopy, kelvin probe force microscopy. Additionally, the current project also intends to address some of the pressing issues that limit the output performances of nanogenerators, including the driving frequency, suitable circuit design to overcome the problem of phase difference, and mismatched impedance. Finally, the output of the nanogenerator is stored in the energy storage device through a customized electronic circuit to develop a self-charging power system, which is then used to drive the microelectronic devices. |