Piezoelectric materials have interesting properties with applications inenergy-harvesting devices. Piezomaterials convert mechanical energy into charge and conversely undergo structural deformation in response to an applied electric field. The majority of these materials, however, are inorganic. Organic piezomaterials are attractive due to cost, the possibility to make flexible films, and low mass density. We recently demonstrated that hydrogen-bonds can give rise to significant piezoelectricity. Hydrogen-bond properties are easily tuned by functionalization in organic materials and therefore represent an interesting target for design. Piezoresponse is also frequently observed in molecular chemsitry, so electromechanical response of hydrogen-bonds warrants further study. We have developed a screening method to determine the piezocoefficients of such materials and provide a rationale for designing organic piezoelectric materials.

Piezo-response in hydrogen-bonded organic systems:  Development of a design rationale and screening method

247th National Meeting (2014)

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