Self powered pH sensor using piezoelectric composite worm structures derived by ionotropic gelation approach

• A novel piezoelectric composite wavy, linear worm structure has been developed for the first time.
• Energy harvesting and pH sensing functionality of composite worms has been reported.
• Length dependent output of CWPW structures and conversion of bio-mechanical to electrical energy has been studied.
• Developed self-powered pH sensor using CLW and CWPW structures.
• Worms are suitable for wearable, portable power sources without any storage components.

Multifunctional biopolymer-piezoelectric composite worm structures (wavy and linear) derived by ionotropic gelation technique is fundamentally reported. Mass production of composite wavy pattern worms (CWPWs) enable high energy conversion from low frequency mechanical energy to electrical energy, tunable piezoelectricity by tailored length dependent CWPWs, weight ratio of piezoelectric nanoparticles. Interestingly we found that, the peak–peak voltage and current decreases around 87% and 71% for CWPW devices when the CWPWs length decreased to 56.4% (L = 1.95 to 0.85 cm) respectively. We also tested, the pH dependent conductivity of composite linear worm (CLW) for clinical, food monitoring applications. Next, we demonstrate the generated piezoelectric potential of CWPW device holds as a promising independent power source unit to drive the CLW sensor under different pH solutions. The proposed work is non-invasive, flexible with robustness in long-term effective usage, biocompatibility, and battery-less operation for self powered biosensor in theranostics, blood pH measurement.

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