@misc{GarainSinhaAdhikaryetal., author = {Garain, Samiran and Sinha, Tridib Kumar and Adhikary, Prakriti and Henkel, Karsten and Sen, Shrabanee and Ram, Shanker and Sinha, Chittaranjan and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {Self-Poled Transparent and Flexible UV Light-Emitting Cerium Complex-PVDF Composite: A High-Performance Nanogenerator}, series = {ACS Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, volume = {2015}, journal = {ACS Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, number = {7}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/am507522r}, pages = {1298 -- 1307}, abstract = {Cerium(III)-,N-dimethylformamide-bisulfate [Ce(DMF)(HSO4)3] complex is doped into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) to induce a higher yield (99\%) of the electroactive phases (β- and γ-phases) of PVDF. A remarkable enhancement of the output voltage (∼32 V) of a nano-generator (NG) based on a nonelectrically poled cerium(III) complex containing PVDF composite film is achieved by simple repeated human finger imparting, whereas neat PVDF does not show this kind of behavior. This high electrical output resembles the generation of self-poled electroactiveβ-phase in PVDF due to the electrostatic interactions between the fluoride of PVDF and the surface-active positive charge cloud of the cerium complex via H-bonding and/or bipolar interaction among the opposite poles of cerium complex and PVDF, respectively. The capacitor charging capability of the flexible NG promises its applicability as piezoelectric-based energy harvester. The cerium(III) complex doped PVDF composite film exhibit an intense photoluminescence in the UV region, which might be due to a participation of electron cloud from negative pole of bipolarized PVDF. This fact may open a new area for prospective development of high-performance energy-saving flexible solid-state UV light emitters.}, language = {en} } @misc{TamangGhoshGarainetal., author = {Tamang, Abiral and Ghosh, Sujoy Kumar and Garain, Samiran and Alam, Md. Mehebub and Haeberle, J{\"o}rg and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {DNA-Assisted β‑phase Nucleation and Alignment of Molecular Dipoles in PVDF Film: A Realization of Self-Poled Bioinspired Flexible Polymer Nanogenerator for Portable Electronic Devices}, series = {ACS Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, journal = {ACS Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, number = {7}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.5b04161}, pages = {16143 -- 16147}, abstract = {A flexible nanogenerator (NG) is fabricated with a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)film, where deoxyribonu-cleic acid (DNA) is the agent for the electroactive β-phase nucleation. Denatured DNA is co-operating to align the molecular-CH2/-CF2 dipoles of PVDF causing piezo- electricity without electrical poling. The NG is capable of harvesting energy from a variety of easily accessible mechanical stress such as human touch, machine vibration, football juggling, and walking. The NG exhibits high piezoelectric energy conversion efficiency facilitating the instant turn-on of several green or blue light-emitting diodes. The generated energy can be used to charge capacitors providing a wide scope for the design of self-powered portable devices.}, language = {en} } @misc{GarainBarmanSinhaetal., author = {Garain, Samiran and Barman, Koushik and Sinha, Tridib Kumar and Jasimuddin, Sk and Haeberle, J{\"o}rg and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {Cerium(III) Complex Modified Gold Electrode: An Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction}, series = {ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces}, volume = {8}, journal = {ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces}, number = {33}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.6b05236}, pages = {21294 -- 21301}, abstract = {Exploring efficient and inexpensive electrocatalysts for the oxidation of water is of great importance for various electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies. In the present study, a new water-soluble [Ce III(DMF) (HSO4)3] complex was synthesized and characterized by UV-vis, photoluminescence, and high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Owing to classic 5d →4f transitions, an intense photoluminescence in the UV region was observed from the water-soluble [CeIII(DMF (HSO4)3] complex. A stacking electrode was designed where self-assembled L-cysteine monolayer modified gold was immobilized with the synthesized cerium complex and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltam-metry. The resulting electrode, i.e., [CeIII(DMF)(HSO4)3]-L-cysteine-Au stacks shows high electrocatalytic water oxidation behavior at an overpotential of η ≈0.34 V under neutral pH conditions. We also demonstrated a way where the overpotential is possible to decrease upon irradiation of UV light.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GarainAdhikaryMandaletal., author = {Garain, Samiran and Adhikary, Prakriti and Mandal, Dipankar and Sen, Shrabanee and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {Electro-active β-Phase Formation in Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Films by Hydrated Rare earth Metal Salt}, series = {Proceeding of the International Conference on Nanotechnology 2013 (ICNT 2013)}, booktitle = {Proceeding of the International Conference on Nanotechnology 2013 (ICNT 2013)}, publisher = {Institute of Technology, Haldia, WB, India}, address = {Haldia}, isbn = {978-81-927756-0-9}, pages = {S. 127}, abstract = {Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a typical fluoro-polymer with complicated polymorphisms due to the semi-crystalline nature. Generally, four crystalline phases, α, β, γ and δ may exist in PVDF crystals. The nonpolar α- and δ-phase has a monoclinic lattice with trans-gauche conformation (TGTG⁄), which is thermodynamically most stable for PVDF. The polar β phase with all-trans (TTTT) planar zigzag conformation is attractive for its piezo-, pyro-, and ferroelectric properties. The polar β-Phase and also semi-polar γ-phase (TTTGTTTG⁄) have obtained wide device applications such as acoustic transducers, piezoelectric sensors, energy harvesting generators, pyroelectric sensors, non-volatile memories and energy storage capacitors. In this work, we explore the possibility to nucleate β-phase in PVDF hydrated salt composite films by addition of the hydrated Rare earth metal salt, (NH4)4 Ce (SO4)4, 2H2O) for the piezo- ferro and high dielectric based device applications. It has been found that the water molecules in (NH4)4 Ce (SO4)4, 2H2O could form hydrogen bonds with PVDF during the crystallization process and the hydrogen bonds promoted the electro-active crystalline β- phase in PVDF with all -trans conformations. In addition, the DMF (solvent used for films preparation) can also assist the rare-earth based nanoparticle preparation, as a result the electrostatic interaction of the surface charge of the nanoparticles and molecular dipoles in PVDF can resist the electroactive β- phase in PVDF.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GarainHenkelMandaletal., author = {Garain, Samiran and Henkel, Karsten and Mandal, Dipankar and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {One-Pot Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanowires and PVDF/CuO Composite Films for Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Application}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft, Reihe 6, Band 53,3}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft, Reihe 6, Band 53,3}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {0420-0195}, pages = {S. 135}, abstract = {Copper oxide (CuO) is an attractive p-type oxide semiconductor with narrow band gap that has intriguing properties such as non-toxicity, chemical stability, electrocatalytic activity, abundant availability and low production cost. Polymeric materials have attracted great interest owing to their high flexibility, light weight, low cost production and high resistance against corrosion. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is a commonly used piezoelectric polymer due to its excellent flexibility and piezoelectric properties. In this work, we adopted a one-pot synthesis of CuO nanowires by facile and selective chemical etching process of Cu substrate. XPS, XRD, SEM data ascribed the formation of polycrystalline CuO nanowires over the entire Cu surface. It has been observed that the uniformity, shape and size of the nanowires could be conveniently controlled by etching time and etchant concentration. We have also prepared piezoelectric nanogenerator based on the flexible PVDF/CuO composite film, where the traditional electrical poling treatment was avoided. In addition, dielectric properties have been studied to demonstrate the role of interfacial polarization.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{KotNaumannGarainetal., author = {Kot, Małgorzata and Naumann, Franziska and Garain, Samiran and Po{\'{z}}arowska, Emilia and Gargouri, Hassan and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {Aluminum nitride films prepared by plasma atomic layer deposition using different plasma sources}, series = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft, Reihe 6, Band 53,3}, booktitle = {Verhandlungen der Deutschen Physikalischen Gesellschaft, Reihe 6, Band 53,3}, publisher = {Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft}, address = {Bad Honnef}, issn = {0420-0195}, pages = {S. 170}, abstract = {Aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films are promising for versatile applications in optoelectronics, electronics, piezoelectrics, and acoustics due to their remarkable properties such as wide band gap, high dielectric constant, low electrical conductivity, good piezoelectric coefficient and high ultrasonic velocity. We present a comparative study of AlN films grown by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition at 350°C silicon wafers in the SENTECH SI ALD LL system using TMA and NH3 where either a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) or a direct PTSA (planar triple spiral antenna) source was applied. The films were characterized by ellipsometry, XPS and electrical measurements. The layer properties are discussed concerning the varied ALD process parameters. In general, the process using the direct PTSA source delivered films with higher refractive index and better homogeneity over the wafer achieving also higher growth rates per cycle (GPC) in reduced total cycle durations. Films with refractive index in the range of 2.05 and permittivity around 8 could be realized with a GPC of 1.54 {\AA}/cycle.}, language = {en} } @misc{GarainSenHenkeletal., author = {Garain, Samiran and Sen, Shrabanee and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {Enhancement of Electroactive β-phase and Superior Dielectric Properties in Cerium Based Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Composite Films}, series = {Materials Today: proceedings}, volume = {5}, journal = {Materials Today: proceedings}, number = {3 part 3}, issn = {2214-7853}, doi = {10.1016/j.matpr.2017.11.003}, pages = {10084 -- 10090}, abstract = {In this work we report on the preparation of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films with various mass fractions (wt\%) of hydrated rare earth metal salt [(NH4)4Ce(SO4)4.2H2O] (CAS) and its electroactive phase (β- and γ-phase) formation. It was found that CAS can yield high amount of electroactive phases in PVDF. Compared to the neat PVDF film, a significantly increment of dielectric constant (ε ∼ 41) and a low loss factor (tan δ ∼ 0.8) were observed in the PVDF-CAS composite films. Thus the PVDF-CAS composite films with high electroactive phase and superior dielectric properties may meet the requirements of next generation electronic components.}, language = {en} } @misc{MaityGarainHenkeletal., author = {Maity, Kuntal and Garain, Samiran and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {Natural Sugar-Assisted, Chemically Reinforced, Highly Durable Piezoorganic Nanogenerator with Superior Power Density for Self-Powered Wearable Electronics}, series = {ACS Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, volume = {10}, journal = {ACS Applied Materials \& Interfaces}, issn = {1944-8244}, doi = {10.1021/acsami.8b15320}, pages = {44018 -- 44032}, abstract = {Natural piezoelectric materials are of increasing interest, particularly for applications in biocompatible, implantable, and flexible electronic devices. In this paper, we introduce a cost-effective, easily available natural piezoelectric material, that is, sugar in the field of wearable piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) where low electrical output, biocompatibility, and performance durability are still critical issues. We report on a high-performance piezoorganic nanogenerator (PONG) based on the hybridization of sugar-encapsulated polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) nanofiber webs (SGNFW). We explore the crucial role of single-crystal sugar having a fascinating structure along with the synergistic enhancement of piezoelectricity during nanoconfinement of sugar-interfaced macromolecular PVDF chains. As a consequence, the SGNFW-based PONG exhibits outstanding electricity generation capability (e.g.,∼100 V under 10 kPa human finger impact and maximum power density of 33 mW/m2) in combination with sensitivity to abundantly available different mechanical sources (such as wind flow, vibration, personal electronics, and acoustic vibration). Consequently, it opens up suitability in multifunctional self-powered wearable sensor designs for realistic implementation. In addition, commercially available capacitors are charged up effectively by the PONG because of its rapid energy storage capability. The high performance of the PONG not only offers"battery-free"energy generation (several portable units of light-emitting diodes and a liquid crystal display screen are powered up without using external storage) but also promises its use in wireless signal transmitting systems, which widens the potential in personal health care monitoring. Furthermore, owing to the geometrical stress confinement effect, the PONG is proven to be a highly durable power-generating device validated by stability test over 10 weeks. Therefore, the organic nanogenerator would be a convenient solution for portable personal electronic devices that are expected to operate in a self-powered manner.}, language = {en} } @misc{BiswasGarainMaityetal., author = {Biswas, Anirban and Garain, Samiran and Maity, Kuntal and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {Influence of In situ Synthesized Bismuth Oxide Nanostructures in Self-poled PVDF-based Nanogenerator for Mechanical Energy Harvesting Application}, series = {Polymer Composites}, volume = {40}, journal = {Polymer Composites}, number = {S1}, issn = {0272-8397}, doi = {10.1002/pc.24628}, pages = {E265 -- E274}, abstract = {A self-poled piezoelectric nanogenerator (NG) based on bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanostructures (BNS)-doped poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is demonstrated. The in-situ formation of BNS incorporated in the PVDF matrix is realized through a simple solution casting technique that favors the nucleation and stabilization of 99.6\% of the electroactive phase in PVDF (i.e., beta/gamma-phases). The enhancement of the output voltage (3.6 V) and current (2.4mA) of the NG based on a nonelectrically poled BNS containing PVDF composite film is achieved and demonstrated by simple repeated human finger imparting. The improvement of the output performance is influenced by the generation of the electroactive polar beta-phase in PVDF, due to the electrostatic interactions between the -CH2-/-CF2- dipoles of PVDF and the surface charge of the BNS. The NGs are able to charge up capacitors demonstrating that the power generation from such a hybrid device structure can be utilized for powering various portable devices.}, language = {en} } @misc{KotHenkelNaumannetal., author = {Kot, Małgorzata and Henkel, Karsten and Naumann, Franziska and Gargouri, Hassan and Tarnawska, Lidia Lupina and Wilker, Viola and Kus, Peter and Pożarowska, Emilia and Garain, Samiran and Rouissi, Zied and Schmeißer, Dieter}, title = {Comparison of plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition AlN films prepared with different plasma sources}, series = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A}, volume = {37}, journal = {Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A}, number = {2}, issn = {0734-2101}, doi = {10.1116/1.5079628}, pages = {11}, abstract = {A comparative study of thin aluminum nitride (AlN) films deposited by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition in the SENTECH SI ALD LL system applying either a direct inductively coupled plasma (ICP) or an indirect capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) source is presented. The films prepared with the ICP source (based on a planar triple spiral antenna) exhibit improved properties concerning the growth rate per cycle, total cycle duration, homogeneity, refractive index, fixed and mobile electrical charges, and residual oxygen content compared to the CCP source, where the comparison is based on the applied plasma power of 200 W. The increase of the plasma power to 600 W in the ICP process significantly reduces the residual oxygen content and enhances the electrical breakdown field. The AlN layers grown under these conditions, with a growth rate per cycle of 1.54 {\AA}/cycle, contain residual oxygen and carbon concentrations of about 10\% and 4\%, respectively, and possess a refractive index of 2.07 (at 632.8 nm).}, language = {en} } @misc{RoyGhoshSultanaetal., author = {Roy, Krittish and Ghosh, Sujoy Kumar and Sultana, Ayesha and Garain, Samiran and Xie, Mengying and Bowen, Christopher Rhys and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {A Self-Powered Wearable Pressure Sensor and Pyroelectric Breathing Sensor Based on GO Interfaced PVDF Nanofibers}, series = {ACS Applied Nano Materials}, volume = {2}, journal = {ACS Applied Nano Materials}, number = {4}, issn = {2574-0970}, doi = {10.1021/acsanm.9b00033}, pages = {2013 -- 2025}, abstract = {This paper reports a self-powered,flexible, piezo- and pyro-electric hybrid nanogenerator (NG) device that can be fixed on different locations of human skin for detecting static and dynamic pressure variations and can also monitor temperature fluctuations during the respiration process. An efficient and cost-effective fabrication strategy has been developed to create electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/graphene oxide (GO) nanofibers, which are used to create a highly sensitive wearable pressure sensor and pyroelectric breathing sensor. The sensor can accurately and rapidly detect pressures as low as 10 Pa with a high sensitivity (4.3 V/kPa), a key performance indicator for wearable sensors. Importantly, the sensor exhibits a high sensitivity to bending and stretching by finger, wrist, and elbow. The pressure sensor is also highly sensitive to vocal vibrations when attached to the human throat. The device can generate a maximum output power density of∼6.2 mW/m2 when subjected to a compressive stress, which enhances its range of applications. Moreover, it is demonstrated that doping with GO improves the pyroelectric energy harvesting and sensing performance of the device under repeated temperature fluctuations. The PVDF/GO-based nanogenerator has a maximum pyroelectric output power density of∼1.2 nW/m2 and can sense temperature changes during respiration, which makes it promising as a pyroelectric breathing sensor. It is demonstrated that processing of the PVDF-GO self-powered multifunctional pressure and pyroelectric breathing sensor can be up-scaled for fabricating compact and high-performance electronic skins for application in health monitoring, motion detection, and portable electronics.}, language = {en} } @misc{MaityGarainHenkeletal., author = {Maity, Kuntal and Garain, Samiran and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {Self-Powered Human-Health Monitoring through Aligned PVDFNanofibers Interfaced Skin-Interactive Piezoelectric Sensor}, series = {ACS Applied Polymer Materials}, volume = {2}, journal = {ACS Applied Polymer Materials}, number = {2}, issn = {2637-6105}, doi = {10.1021/acsapm.9b00846}, pages = {862 -- 878}, abstract = {Flexible and wearable e-skin sensors are attracting a great interest for their smart sensing applications in next-generation electronics. However, implant ability, sensitivity, and biosignal detection capability in a self-powered manner are the prime concerns in embedded devices. In particular, electrode compatibility and imperishability have become challenging issues in wearable sensors due to the poor compatibility and fragileness of metal electrodes. In this context, we report on a skin-interactive metal-free spongy electrode in a piezoelectric sensor where highly aligned poly(vinylidenefluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers (NFs) arrays are introduced as the piezoelectric active component and conducting polyaniline- (PANI-) coated PVDF (PANI-PVDF) NFs mats served as flexible electrodes. Notably, a 99\% yield of piezoelectric phases of the aligned PVDF arrays is the key factor to exhibit promising mechano-sensitivity (0.8 V/kPa) performance that in turn helps in human-health monitoring. The sensor shows excellent mechanical to electrical energy conversion that enable to sense human finger touch (10 V under 10 kPa) with energy conversion efficiency of 53\%. Most importantly, due to the compatible electrodes excellent mechanical stability has been found showing negligible degradation over 12,000 periodic cycles. Furthermore, under mechanical stimuli, it is also possible to charge up a capacitor (1μF) to 4 V within 60 s confirming the possibility to use the device as a self-powered piezo-organic-e-skin sensor (POESS). This type of structural design enables to trace elusive movement of muscles and the operation in several conditions such as bending, compression and stretching. We demonstrated various human gestures monitoring, such as wrist bending, neck stretching, and arm compressions, throat movements during drinking water, coughing actions, and swallowing. In addition, diverse specific phonation recognition, heart-pulse measurement and its respective short-time Fourier transform (STFT) analysis indicate an efficient and convenient way of monitoring human-health status particularly in hospital-free mode.}, language = {en} } @misc{GhoshSinhaXieetal., author = {Ghosh, Sujoy Kumar and Sinha, Tridib Kumar and Xie, Mengying and Bowen, Christopher Rhys and Garain, Samiran and Mahanty, Biswajit and Roy, Krittish and Henkel, Karsten and Schmeißer, Dieter and Kim, Jin Kuk and Mandal, Dipankar}, title = {Temperature-Pressure Hybrid Sensing All-Organic Stretchable Energy Harvester}, series = {ACS Applied Electronic Materials}, volume = {3}, journal = {ACS Applied Electronic Materials}, number = {1}, issn = {2637-6113}, doi = {10.1021/acsaelm.0c00816}, pages = {248 -- 259}, abstract = {The design and development of intrinsically stretchable all-organic self-powered sensors concurrently perceiving temperature and pressure remain a challenge but deliver an exciting platform to realize environmentally friendly wearable electronics. In this approach, a biomimetic all-organic stretchable energy harvester is designed by a xylitol-added poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS/Xyl) film as a compatible overlay electrode with polyaniline-reinforced one-dimensional aligned poly(vinylidene fluoride) hybrid electroactive soft nanowires. The gradient of elastic modulus between the electrode and the active nanowire component enables the all-organic device to manifest excellent power-generating performance under external temperature fluctuation (∼3 μW/m2 under ΔT ∼ 92 K) and mechanical force (∼31 μW/cm2 at 30 N). Importantly, the device renders simultaneous energy scavenging of temperature and pressure changes under pressing and stretching conditions (∼20\%). The excellent mechanosensitivity (∼100 mV/N), fast response time (∼1 ms), outstanding mechanical and thermal stability, and good temperature resolution <10 K enable the harvester to act as an epidermal sensor, which simultaneously detects and discriminates both subtle pressure and thermal deviations exposed to an epidermis surface. The real-time recording and wireless transferring of physiological signals to a smartphone indicate an effective way to realize remote healthcare monitoring for early intervention.}, language = {en} }