A novel ZnPc nanorod derived piezoelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting

Abstract Harvesting mechanical energy into electrical energy is initially derived through Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) nanorods by its piezoelectric nature. This paper reports on the fabricated Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) nanorods on flexible Aluminum foil (Al) based nanogenerators for the first time. Aluminum foil (Al) acts as a bottom electrode as well as substrate for the growth of nanorods; whereas the top electrode is a Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) coated on glass substrate. Top electrode Fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) was tapped and rubbed on the ZnPc nanorods to produce electric current. The open circuit voltage (VOC) is observed and analyzed for 100 nm and 300 nm ZnPc nanorods. The average open circuit voltage (VOC) for 100 nm, 300 nm ZnPc nanorods thickness is given as 0.524 mV and 0.968 mV respectively. Due to its simple fabrication method, less cost, high output gain and biocompatibility, Zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) Nanorods approach is suitable alternate for the ZnO nanorods in Nanogenerator devices.