Novel High-Activity Organic Piezoelectric Materials - From Single-Molecule Response to Energy Harvesting Films
Abstract
There is a critical need for efficient energy harvesting materials to use ubiquitous but wasted mechanical energy. There is also a simultaneous need for micro- and nano-electronic energy generation and conversion for self-powered sensors, haptic displays, and responsive shape-changing materials. With this project, we have established that dramatic improvements can be found in piezoelectric materials designed from the geometric conformational change in single molecules, driven by electric field gradients. This project designed accurate, efficient quantum chemical methods to efficiently predict the piezoresponse of conventional hydrogen-bonded organic crystals and polymers. Using these methods, we determined a theoretical maximum for conventional organic piezoelectrics and devised molecular springs with predicted response far exceeding ZnO or PVDF. Investigating different molecular scaffolds, we designed single-molecule ferroelectrics with stable hysteresis and piezoelectric response predicted on par with champion perovskites. We demonstrated this potential with the first measurements of the piezoelectric response of single molecular monolayers. Moreover, using a polyurethane foam matrix and a polar dopant, we made flexible piezoelectric films over ten times greater than ZnO.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 24, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA623117
Entities
People
- Charles Y. Lee
- Geoffrey R. Hutchison
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh