Enhanced voltage response in TiO₂ nanoparticle-embedded piezoelectric nanogenerator

Abstract

Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers have piqued a substantial amount of research interest for its use in modern flexible electronics. The piezoelectric β-phase of the polymers can be augmented with the addition of suitable fillers that promote β-phase nucleation. In this work, we report an improved output voltage response of poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) with the incorporation of 10 wt. % Titanium (IV) oxide nanoparticles into the polymer matrix. The nano-filler was dispersed in the polymer matrix to form nanocomposite films via the solution casting technique. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) measurements were performed to verify the structure and morphology of the films. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy revealed enhancement in the β-phase nucleation from ~15% to ~36% with the addition of 10 wt. % titania nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) results show improved thermal stability of the nanocomposite film, up to 345 ºC, as compared to pristine PVDF-HFP. We also demonstrate a facile method for the fabrication of a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) with β-PVDF-HFP/TiO2 nanocomposite as an active layer. The outputs from the fabricated nanogenerator reached up to 8.89 V through human finger tapping motions, paving way for its potential use in the field of sensors, actuators, and self-sustaining flexible devices.

Titania Nanoparticle-Stimulated Ultralow Frequency Detection and High-Pass Filter Behavior of a Flexible Piezoelectric Nanogenerator: A Self-Sustaining Energy Harvester for Active Motion Tracking

“…This gives rise to the electric double layer (EDL) formation between the surface of the TiO 2 nanoparticle and the CH 2 moiety of PVDF-HFP, which typically extends over a few nanometers. Thus, a high capacitance can be achieved without significantly increasing the thickness of the films due to the formation of the EDL. , The films display a decrease in capacitance values with increasing polymer weight due to the increased distance between the TiO 2 filler, which was corroborated in the dielectric constant curves.…”

Negative Capacitance and Intrinsic Ferroelectric Behavior in α-MoO3 Culminating as a Robust Piezoelectric Energy Harvester

“…This is particularly due to the emergence of fringe field effects in the system . The dielectric sensitivity in the linear region was found to be 56 pF/N in terms of capacitance per unit force . In principle, every dielectric ceramic may be thought of as the phasor combination of equivalent series resistance (ESR) and capacitive reactance in an impedance plane.…”

High-performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator assisted by a three-phase PVDF/WS2/rGO nanocomposite

“…Several protocols have been followed in past years to increase the β phase content: stretching, electrical poling, high-temperature annealing, etc [15][16][17]. Incorporating several nanofillers inside the PVDF matrix is another efficient and prevalent technique to improve the β phase of the PVDF [18][19][20][21].…”