Piezoelectric energy harvesting and dissipating behaviors of polymer-based piezoelectric composites for nanogenerators and dampers

Polymer-based piezoelectric composites (PPCs) demonstrate superior mechanical-vibrational energy harvesting and dissipating (EHD) capabilities. Piezoelectric materials endow the composites with the ability to convert mechanical vibrations into electrical signals that are collected and dissipated into Joule heat to increasing the damping behavior progressively. Conversely, the polymer matrix provides flexibility for fabricating wearable nanogenerators or transducers, and the viscoelastic properties of polymers offer the prominent damping ability of composites. The difference between the shunt circuits that simulate the EHD abilities of composites is based on the existence of a dissipating resistance. This paper discusses the EHD behaviors of PPCs based on the simulation of shunt circuits. The commonalities and differences between EHD behaviors in PPCs are presented. Certain impressive studies on composites used in wearable nanogenerators are presented. Moreover, applications of passive and active vibration attenuation systems and materials, and applications of PPCs with EHD behaviors are introduced. Through this review, we aim to establish the common aspects in the piezoelectric EHD behaviors, illustrate design strategies, and highlight the future exploration of novel EHD piezoelectric composites with multifunctional polymer matrices.