The MnAl-alloy nanoparticles incorporated PVDF-based piezoelectric nanogenerator as a self-powered real-time pedometer sensor.

This article focuses on the development and characterization of a flexible, sensitive, and cost-effective hybrid piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposite films integrated with manganese-aluminum (MnAl) alloy nanoparticles. The MnAl-alloy nanoparticles act as nucleating agents to enhance the electroactive β-phase of PVDF, which significantly improves the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of the composite. An optimized nanofiber mat containing 7.5 wt.% MnAl-alloy nanoparticles fabricated via electrospinning demonstrated the highest β-phase content (~92%), dielectric permittivity (~27), and output performance, generating up to 16 V and 7.1 μA under mechanical stress. Practical applications were demonstrated by harvesting biomechanical energy from human activities such as walking, jogging, and knee bending, indicating potential use in self-powered wearable devices and energy harvesting for small electronics.