Enhanced Piezoelectric Behavior of PVDF Nanocomposite by AC Dielectrophoresis Alignment of ZnO Nanowires

Abstract

In contrast to commercial piezoelectric ceramics, lead-free materials such as ZnO and a polymer matrix are proper candidates for use in ecofriendly applications. In this article, the authors represent a technique using ZnO nanowires with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix in a piezoelectric polymer composite. By aligning the nanowires in the matrix in a desired direction by AC dielectrophoresis, the piezoelectric behavior was enhanced. The dielectric constant of the composite was improved by increasing the concentration of the ZnO nanowires as well. Specifically, the resulting dielectric constant shows an improvement of 400% with aligned ZnO nanowires by increasing the poling effect compared to that of a randomly oriented nanowire composite without a poling process.

Dielectric and piezoelectric augmentation in self-poled magnetic Fe3O4/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composite nanogenerators

“…Previously many filler-materials having ferroelectric/piezoelectric characteristics and mechanically robust 1D morphologies such as nanorod or aligned fiber structure have been incorporated in different members of the PVDF-family i.e., polymers of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), trifluoroethylene (TrFE), tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) etc to boost up electromechanical response. Among them, binary oxides/ chalcogenides (ZnO, ZnS, CdS), normal & relaxor ferroelectric all-inorganic perovskites (BaTiO 3 , BiFeO 3 , ZnSnO 3 , PbTiO 3 , and solid solutions of similar materials), organic/hybrid perovskites (CH 3 NH 3 PbX 3 ; X=Cl, Br, I), carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene oxide (GO) & reduced graphene oxide (rGO), Ag-nanoparticles etc have been used vigorously in this regard, which delivered interesting outcomes [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Im and Park recently developed mechanically robust Fe 3 O 4 /PVDF nanofibers to fabricate triboelectric nanogenerators using magnetite as an electret filler [10].…”

Impact monitoring characteristics of piezoelectric paint sensor by thermal fatigue analysis for railroad vehicle applications

“…This means that ordinary paint can be turned into an impact monitoring system via piezoelectrically functionalized polymer matrix. [15][16][17][18][19] Piezoelectric paint, piezoelectric nano powder mixed with polymer resin, has been researched over the last 25 years. Basic studies to disclose the characteristics of the piezoelectric paint has been presented about weight percentage of piezoelectric material, film thickness, curing temperature, poling process and so on.…”

“…This means that ordinary paint can be turned into an impact monitoring system via piezoelectrically functionalized polymer matrix. 15–19…”

Performance Evaluation of Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting System on Operating Rolling Stock

“…This system must be supplied with power, and this may incur installation costs for electric wires and maintenance costs. As such, harvesting many different kinds of waste energy generated by running vehicles may be the solution to these problems [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. This study focused on the axle bearing housing, which is the boundary of high and low temperatures induced by heat conduction from inside the housing due to axle rotation and by cooling from outside due to the forced convection caused by the running vehicle.…”