Modeling and experimental study of a low-frequency-vibration-based power generator using zno nanowire arrays

Abstract

A piezoelectric power generator based on ZnO nanowire arrays (NWAs) is proposed for scavenging energy from low-frequency ambient vibration. A low-temperature and low-cost hydrothermal method is employed to grow the uniform ZnO nanowires with the diameters of ∼70 nm and lengths of ∼ 2.5 μm. A theoretical model is derived to better understand piezoelectric-energy harvesting and to predict the output performance of cylindrical ZnO NWAs. The open-circuit output voltages of the resonant generators at normal and shear modes are 1.1 and 3.59 mV, respectively. © 2012 IEEE.