Piezo- and Thermoelectric Materials from Biopolymer Composites

Abstract

Energy or power harvesting materials based on polymer nanocomposites have emerged as stable sources of electrical energy. Their wider applications ranging from aerospace to military and from automobiles to e-clothing signify the need of deeper investigation on this particular topic. In this chapter, we aim to address two major power generating stimulations-motion and temperature gradient-and the energy harvesting properties for biopolymer nanocomposites. All kinds of biopolymers and their nanocomposites useful in piezoelectric and thermoelectric devices are discussed. In addition to discussing the basic mechanisms of energy scavenging, various factors influencing the properties such as orientation, amount of crystallites, environmental factors, voids within the matrix, confinement effects, etc. are also mentioned. In short this chapter provides a thorough study about all power-generating biopolymer nanocomposites in the vast area of flexible, wearable, opto and smart electronics.