Charge accumulation in bamboo-like carbon nanotube during vibration for self-powered electronic system

The current generation process by an array of nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) during and after vibration was investigated. It was established that the N-CNT array not only converts external mechanical energy into electrical energy due to the piezoelectric effect, but also accumulates charge due to deformation and the formation of a potential barrier at the interface between bamboo-like bridges and the nanotube side wall. The duration of the post-vibration current varied with the structural characteristics of the N-CNT arrays and the preceding vibration exposure and ranged from several minutes to approximately 5 days. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility of using the N-CNT array simultaneously as an active piezoelectric layer of a nanogenerator and as an efficient charge storage element to provide continuous power supply for electronic devices by converting ambient mechanical energy.