Flexible nanocomposite generator made of BaTiO ₃ nanoparticles and graphitic carbons

A nanocomposite generator (NCG) is fabricated using piezoelectric BaTiO ₃ nanoparticles and universal graphitic carbons (carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide). A piezoelectric nanocomposite is produced by the simple process of dispersing nanoparticles and carbon-based nanomaterials in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix and subsequent spin-casting onto a metal-coated plastic substrate. The NCG device generates an output voltage of ∼3.2 V and a current of ∼350 nA under periodic mechanical deformation to a strain of 0.33%. The generated electric energy is stored in capacitors and used to light up a commercial light-emitting diode.