Improving Efficiency of Light Pressure Electric Generator Using Graphene Oxide Nanospacer Between Ag Nanoparticles

Abstract

Improving device efficiency is fundamental for advancing energy harvesting technology, particularly in systems designed to convert light energy into electrical output. In our previous studies, we developed a basic structure light pressure electric generator (Basic-LPEG), which utilized a layered configuration of Ag/Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃(PZT)/Pt/GaAs to generate electricity based on light-induced pressure on the PZT. In this study, we sought to enhance the performance of this Basic-LPEG by introducing Ag nanoparticles/graphene oxide (AgNPs/GO) composite units (NP-LPEG), creating upgraded harvesting device. Specifically, by depositing the AgNPs/GO units twice onto the Basic-LPEG, we observed an increase in output voltage and current from 241 mV and 3.1 µA to 310 mV and 9.3 µA, respectively, under a solar simulator. The increase in electrical output directly correlated with the intensity of the light pressure impacting the PZT, as well as matched the Raman measurements, finite-difference time-domain simulations, and COMSOL Multiphysics Simulation. Experimental data revealed that the enhancement in electrical output was proportional to the number of hot spots generated between Ag nanoparticles, where the electric field experienced substantial amplification. These results underline the effectiveness of AgNPs/GO units in boosting the light-induced electric generation capacity, thereby providing a promising pathway for high-efficiency energy harvesting devices.

Keywords

Ag nanoparticles / energy harvesting / graphene oxide / light pressure / piezoelectric

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2025 The Author(s). Carbon Energy published by Wenzhou University and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.