Paper-Based ZnO Nanogenerator Using Contact Electrification and Piezoelectric Effects

In this letter, we present a ZnO nanogenerator built on a paper substrate producing electricity using both contact electrification and piezoelectric effects. Paper is an environmentally friendly material and can help to improve the performance of the ZnO nanogenerator due to its natural roughness. The nanogenerator produced a maximum peak voltage of 38.4 V and a maximum peak current density of 3.2 μA/cm2from both the inherent piezoelectric property of ZnO and contact electrification between poly(methyl methacrylate) and ZnO nanostructures.