Energy harvesting represents a transformative strategy for capturing ambient
energy and converting it into usable electrical power, thereby enabling the operation of
electronic systems without reliance on conventional energy supplies such as batteries or
wired connections. Polymers have emerged as a pivotal class of materials in this
domain owing to their structural versatility, tunable properties, and potential alignment
with sustainability goals. With the growing global demand for renewable and
decentralized energy solutions—particularly for autonomous, wireless, and portable
electronics—polymer-based energy harvesters are gaining increasing prominence.
Sustainable polymers, derived from renewable or recycled precursors, offer distinct
advantages including mechanical robustness, corrosion resistance, and
biodegradability, thus meeting both environmental and economic imperatives.
Nevertheless, conventional synthetic polymer production and disposal practices remain
environmentally unsustainable, exacerbating resource depletion and pollution. To
address these limitations, current research is advancing the development of polymers
engineered within closed-loop life cycles to minimize ecological burden. Emerging
innovations, such as photovoltaic-integrated sound barriers, polymer-based
nanomaterials, thermoelectric generators, and induction-driven energy systems,
highlight the expanding scope of polymer applications in this field. This chapter
concludes by critically evaluating key challenges—most notably the enhancement of
energy conversion efficiency, scalability, and techno-economic viability—while
underscoring the pivotal role of advanced sustainable polymers in shaping the next
generation of energy harvesting technologies.
Keywords: Biodegradability, Energy harvesting, Polymer-based devices, Renewable energy, Sustainable polymers.
