Flexible PVDF–TrFE Nanocomposites with Ag-decorated BCZT Heterostructures for Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Applications

Abstract

Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators are playing an important role in delivering power to next-generation wearable electronic devices due to their high-power density and potential to create self-powered sensors for the Internet of Things. Among the range of available piezoelectric materials, poly(vinylidene fluoride− trifluoroethylene) (PVDF−TrFE)-based piezoelectric composites exhibit significant potential for flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator applications. However, the high electric fields that are required for poling cannot be readily applied to polymer composites containing piezoelectric fillers due to the high permittivity contrast between the filler and matrix, which reduces the dielectric strength. In this paper, novel Ag-decorated BCZT heterostructures were synthesized via a photoreduction method, which were introduced at a low level (3 wt %) into the matrix of PVDF−TrFE to fabricate piezoelectric composite films. The effect of Ag nanoparticle loading content on the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties was investigated in detail, where a maximum piezoelectric energy-harvesting figure of merit of 5.68 × 10 −12 m 2 /N was obtained in a 0.04Ag-BCZT NWs/PVDF−TrFE composite film, where 0.04 represents the concentration of the AgNO 3 solution. Modeling showed that an optimum performance was achieved by tailoring the fraction and distribution of the conductive silver nanoparticles to achieve a careful balance between generating electric field concentrations to increase the level of polarization, while not degrading the dielectric strength. This work therefore provides a strategy for the design and manufacture of highly polarized piezoelectric composite films for piezoelectric nanogenerator applications.

Tuning the Electromechanical Response of P(VDF-TrFE)/ZnSnO3-Based Binary Piezoelectric Composites for Biomechanical Energy-Harvesting and Self-Powered Mechanosensing

“… − Although the host P­(VDF-TrFE) matrix and added ZnSnO 3 filler exhibit the negative and positive piezoelectric coefficients, respectively, this type of working mechanism helps in improving the overall energy-harvesting performances of the PENG devices up to a certain amount of filler loading, which might be attributed to better dipole alignment via interfacial interaction (Note S1). The improvement of piezoelectric energy-harvesting activity of unpoled P­(VDF-TrFE)-based PENG upon optimum loading of inorganic fillers having a positive piezoelectric coefficient is consistent with the previous literature. ,, …”

“…The 10PTR film exhibited the maximum value of | d 33 | of ∼37 pC/N. The improvement of the d 33 coefficient of P­(VDF-TrFE) for the optimum amount of inorganic piezoelectric filler loading has also been reported earlier. ,, …”

“…On the other hand, the improved space charge polarization and conducting nature of PVDFbased binary and/or ternary composites have already been previously proven (by some earlier researchers) to facilitate the mechanical energy-harvesting performance of the corresponding films through the effect of better charge transportation within the composite and composite film to electrodes. 61,62 Therefore, on the basis of all of the above investigations, the mechanical energy-harvesting performances of the ZS fillerloaded P(VDF-TrFE) films are expected to be enhanced by the combined effect of improved interfacial interaction and enhanced space charge polarization. 3.6.…”

Significantly Enhanced Poling Efficiency of Piezocomposites by Tuning Resistivity of a Polymer Matrix

“…The leakage current of the material can be increased by the addition of conductors; therefore, the effective poling electric field applied to the piezoelectric fillers may be reduced during poling. Similar phenomena have been observed in other piezocomposite systems. – …”

Energy Harvesting Using ZnO Nanosheet-Decorated 3D-Printed Fabrics

“…In recent years, interest in 2D materials made of piezoelectric, flexoelectric, triboelectric, and hybrid system has increased. 12,13 For emerging wearable electronics technologies, 2D materials are widely used due to their weak interlayer contacts, van der Waals (vdW) interactions, easily connected with the external surface, and high flexibility. 14−18 In fact, 2D material/soft matter interfaces have been used in the transfer, printing, and processing of various electronic technologies.…”