ARRS-J2-3053

Title Development of high-performance piezoelectric coatings for self-powering of nonwovens used in e-mobility
Area Engineering sciences and technologies: Textile and leather
Presentation illustration
Duration 1. 10. 2021 – 30. 9. 2024
Funding 300.000 EUR (ARRS)
Project head Prof. Dr. Vanja Kokol https://cris.cobiss.net/ecris/si/sl/researcher/8756
Participating organizations J. Stefan Institute, Condensed matter physics https://www-f5.en.ijs.si, https://www.ijs.si/~bobnar/ UM, Facult of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering https://www.fkkt.um.si/en/laboratories/laboratory-for-analytical-chemistry-and-industrial-analysis/assoc-prof-matjaz-finsgar/
Objectives Harnessing electricity from mechanical energy (by piezoeletricity) has been recognized as one of the the most emerging and promising technologies recently, not only to sustain self-powered systems in a feasible and economically practical alternative, but also to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and sustain the environment. This project thus focuses on the development of novel high-performance piezoelectric-based energy harvesting coatings using MXene (2D layered transition metal carbides, carbonitrides and nitrides) for self-powering of nonwovens, to fulfil the power requirement of new and forthcomming applications arrising from e-mobility as well as next-generation of functional clothing and footwear.
Specific phases and stage of realization The following specific scientific and technological objectives are defined:

  • Define the stability and processability of MXenes-based inks.
  • Define the effect of nanocellulose surface charge and MXene chemical structure, morphology and solid content ratio on the microstructures of solvent-casted films and modulation of el. resistance / conductivity, electromechanical / piezoelectric and electrochemical storage ability.
  • Define the effect of MXene on crystallinity, flexibility, and strength on functional properties of the films prepared from conductive or piezoelectric polymer.
  • Develop a technological relevant procedure for 3D functionalization of nonwovens with selected MXene based inks using different coating technologies.
  • Validate generated power from vibrations / movements (simulation) of representative nonwoven with energy harvesting properties
Bibliographic references Articles
KOKOL, Vanja, LAKSHMANAN, Subramanian, VIVOD, Vera. Electrochemical capacitance of CNF–Ti3C2Tx MXene-based composite cryogels in different electrolyte solutions for an eco-friendly supercapacitor. Gels. April 2025, vol. 11, iss. 4, 265, 24 p. DOI: 10.3390/gels11040265.
JUREČIČ, Vida, LAKSHMANAN, Subramanian, NOVAK, Nikola, KOKOL, Vanja, BOBNAR, Vid. Percolative dielectric behavior of titanium carbide MXene/cellulose nanofibrils composite films. APL materials. Nov. 2024, vol.12, iss. 11, p. 111102-1-111102-8. DOI: 10.1063/5.0232250.
LAKSHMANAN, Subramanian, JUREČIČ, Vida, BOBNAR, Vid, KOKOL, Vanja. Dielectric and thermal conductive properties of differently structured Ti3C2Tx MXene-integrated nanofibrillated cellulose films. Cellulose. August 2024, vol. 31, p. 8149-8168. DOI: 10.1007/s10570-024-06105-2.

Scientific conference contributions
KOKOL, Vanja, VIVOD, Vera, BOBNAR, Vid. P(VDF-TrFE) impregnated nonwoven for flexible and wearable self-powering electronic devices. V: KREŽE, Tatjana (ur.), FRAS ZEMLJIČ, Lidija (ur.), BRAČIČ, Matej (ur.). Engineering materials and process technologies : 2nd conference of programme groups of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering University of Maribor : [29. 9. 2025, Maribor] : book of abstracts. 1st ed. Maribor: University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press, 2025. p 45. DOI: 10.18690/um.fs.9.2025.
KOKOL, Vanja. Dielectric and thermal conductive properties of differently structured Ti3C2Tx MXene-nanofibrillated cellulose films. V: The 5th International Congress on Advanced Materials Science and Engineering : abstract book : AMSE 2024 : time: July 23-26, 2024, place: Opatija, Croatia. 2024. p. 152.
KOKOL, Vanja. Dielectric properties of differently structured  Ti3C2Tx MXene – nanofibrillated cellulose films. V: Graphene 2024 : 14th edition of the largest European Conference & Exhibition in Graphene and 2D Materials : June 25-28, Madrid (Spain). 2024.   https://www.grapheneconf.com/2024/posters.php,
KOKOL, Vanja, LAKSHMANAN, Subramanian, JUREČIČ, Vida, BOBNAR, Vid. Dielectric and thermal conductive properties of Ti3C2Tx MXene / nanocellulose based substrates for flexible organic electronics. V: NANOCON 2024 : abstracts : 16th International Conference on Nanomaterials – Research & Application, October 16-18, 2024, Brno, Czech Republic, EU. 1st ed. Ostrava: Tanger Ltd.: The Czech Society for New Materials and Technologies: CATRIN – Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, cop. 2024. p. 37-38.  https://nanocon2024.tanger.cz/en/abstracts/.