Piezoelectric Nanogenerators Based on Zinc Oxide Nanowire Arrays

2006/04/13 by Zhong Lin Wang, Jinhui Song · 10 citations
Engineering · #Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials #Nanowire Synthesis and Applications #Innovative Energy Harvesting Technologies

paper · doi:10.1126/science.1124005

openalex publication_date 2006/04/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We have converted nanoscale mechanical energy into electrical energy by means of piezoelectric zinc oxide nanowire (NW) arrays. The aligned NWs are deflected with a conductive atomic force microscope tip in contact mode. The coupling of piezoelectric and semiconducting properties in zinc oxide creates a strain field and charge separation across the NW as a result of its bending. The rectifying characteristic of the Schottky barrier formed between the metal tip and the NW leads to electrical current generation. The efficiency of the NW-based piezoelectric power generator is estimated to be 17 to 30%. This approach has the potential of converting mechanical, vibrational, and/or hydraulic energy into electricity for powering nanodevices.

Citations

• Bright Infrared Emission from Electrically Induced Excitons in Carbon Nanotubes
• Nanobelts of Semiconducting Oxides
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