Flexible electrospun PVDF/WO₃ nanocomposite fibers for piezoelectric energy harvesting applications

Abstract

The emerging field of energy harvesting depends on the electrically conductive materials that are highly flexible and deformable. The morphological, structural, thermal, mechanical, and piezoelectric output studies of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and PVDF/WO3 nanorods composite nanofibers were investigated for the piezoelectric energy harvesting applications. There is a significant enhancement in the piezoelectric β phase after the addition of the WO3 nanorods into the PVDF. The elemental composition of the PVDF/WO3 nanorods composite nanofibers is confirmed by the W, O, F, and C elements. The thermal stability of the WO3 nanorods added composite nanofibers was increased up to 30°C in reference to TGA responses. Based on the mechanical test, the maximum tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were enhanced around by 220 and 246% for the WO3‐integrated PVDF nanofibers. Furthermore, the piezoelectric coefficient of 18.98 pC/N is achieved for the composite PVDF nanofibers which are mainly due to the improvement of the electroactive β phase. The piezoelectric energy harvesting responses were found an output voltage of 2.1 V based on the microstrain set‐up. Thus, these WO3 nanorods incorporated PVDF nanofibers keep the great potential for the piezoelectric energy harvesting, wearable electronics and biomedical applications.

Remarkably enhancing dielectric permittivity and suppressing loss of PVDF via incorporating metal nanoparticles decorated glass fibers

“…Especially, the ε r of 3Au@GF/PVDF reaches the highest value of 33.5 at 10 kHz (figure 4(c)), which are 430% and 235% of pure PVDF and 0Au@GF/PVDF composite, respectively. Based on the above discussion of figures 3(a)-(c), the enhanced permittivity may be attributed to the formation of equivalent micro-capacitors network consisting of countless Au electrodes and the polymer dielectric medium [8,34,35,37]. The schematic diagram of the principle of such micro-capacitor network is shown in figure 4(e).…”

“…Specifically, the ε r of 0Au@GF/PVDF composite is 14.28 at 10 kHz, which is 183% of pure PVDF. The high permittivity can be attributed to the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) interfacial polarizations induced by large GF/PVDF interfaces, which is originated from the charge accumulation at the interfaces and redistribution of electric field due to the conductivity and permittivity contrast between GF and PVDF [8,35,36]. On the other hand, according to the XRD diffraction patterns, the appearance of β phase PVDF is beneficial to the permittivity.…”

“…many advanced power and electronic applications, including energy storage capacitors, 5G base stations and transmission cables [1][2][3][4]. Polymer dielectrics have been found to be widely attractive in recent years because of their selfhealing capability, high flexibility, low dielectric loss and high voltage resistance [5][6][7][8][9]. Unfortunately, compared with inorganic dielectrics, polymer dielectrics suffer relatively low permittivity (<10 at 1 kHz) due to the inherent low polarization of carbon-hydrogen covalent bonds, which greatly limit their practical applications [7].…”

Enhanced properties of PVDF membranes using green Ag-nanoclay composite nanoarchitectonics

“…Researchers are working on incorporating nanofillers to improve the durability of PVDF membranes for more water treatment applications [3]. Nanomaterials enhance the performance of polymer nanocomposite membranes for water treatment [12]. These enhancements lead to better permeability of water; increased ability to reject salt; improved removal of contaminants; higher selectivity; greater hydrophilicity; increased porosity; better antifouling; improved antimicrobial properties [13]; and enhanced mechanical, thermal, and chemical stability [14].…”

Nonlocal strain gradient‐based nonlinear dynamics of sinusoidal impulsive actuated porous/piezoelectric multilayer energy nanoharvesters

“…At nano scale, ultra-compact intelligent devices are becoming increasingly popular in spanning electronics, aerospace, and biotechnology. [1][2][3][4] Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) use small-scale mechanical vibrations or motions to enable computation, actuation, and sensing in a wide variety of applications. 5,6 This popularity has induced the development of cutting-edge nanostructured composites with the combination of functionally graded (FG) nano-materials and piezoelectric electromechanical smart materials.…”