Robust Performance of Composites Based on Barium Titanate, Boron Nitride, and Silicone Rubber for Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

ABSTRACT This work presents the mechanical and piezoelectric properties of Boron Nitride (BN) and Barium Titanate (BaTiO 3 ) filled Silicone Rubber (SR) composites prepared by mechanical mixing. The content of the composite was two parts per hundred rubber (phr) BN and 18 phr BaTiO 3 (BT) in the SR matrix. Adding 2 phr BN restricts the BaTiO 3 agglomeration in the SR matrix, which results in enhancing its mechanical and piezoelectric properties. For example, the compressive modulus of the BN‐BaTiO 3 ‐SR composite was about 2.46 MPa, which increased from 1.70 MPa (control). Tensile modulus was about 0.37, 0.66, 0.49, 0.75 MPa for Control, 2 phr BN, 20 phr BT, and hybrid samples, respectively. In a normal electromechanical test, the BN‐BaTiO 3 ‐SR composite sample showed an output voltage of about 3.75 mV, which is about three times higher than for 2 phr BN (1.3 mV) and 20 phr BT (1.2 mV). Tuning test also showed better output voltage for BN‐BaTiO 3 ‐SR composite (7.5 mV) sample than 2 phr BN (4.5 mV) and 20 phr BT (5 mV). Output voltage was increased steadily and reached a constant value of about 5 mV for BN‐BaTiO 3 ‐SR composite in the durability test. The synergic effect of BN plays an important role in dispersing the heat generated during the electromechanical test, and it enhances its output voltage. Theoretical validation of the experimental result was obtained by COMSOL Multiphysics piezoelectric simulation. Results suggest that the prepared BN‐BaTiO 3 ‐SR composite sample has potential for real‐time applications.