Biocompatible material-based piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) have become attractive platforms for self-powered biomedical devices. Herein, we explored the effect of DL-alanine crystal growth on its piezoelectric responses. Both the open-circuit voltage (VOC) and short-circuit current (ISC) of the DL-alanine-based PENGs increased gradually with the duration of crystal growth, reaching saturation at longer growth durations due to the crystalline stability. The maximum outputs were observed when the crystal duration of growth was 36 h, which is 4.1 times higher in the case of VOC and 4.4 times larger in the case of ISC as compared to the PENG device fabricated with DL-alanine for a 1 h growth duration. These PENG devices were further utilized to provide electrical stimulation for wound healing applications. Compared to control groups, the generated piezoelectric potential greatly expedited wound closure and improved cellular migration when the PENG device was used for external electric field-assisted wound healing. This study showed that DL-alanine-based PENGs have the potential to be a self-powered, biocompatible, and sustainable therapeutic dressing for the treatment of chronic wounds.
Mondal et al. (Sun,) studied this question.