Enhanced voltage response in TiO₂nanoparticle-embedded piezoelectric nanogenerator

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers are crucial for flexible electronics due to their piezoelectric properties.
• Enhancing the piezoelectric β-phase in these polymers is key to improving device performance.
• Suitable fillers can promote β-phase nucleation, boosting piezoelectric activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve the output voltage response of poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) using titanium (IV) oxide nanoparticles.
• To investigate the structural, morphological, and thermal properties of the resulting nanocomposite films.
• To fabricate and demonstrate a piezoelectric nanogenerator utilizing the enhanced nanocomposite material.

Main Methods:

• Solution casting technique to prepare PVDF-HFP/TiO2 nanocomposite films.
• X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for structural and morphological analysis.
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for material characterization.

Main Results:

• Incorporation of 10 wt.% TiO2 nanoparticles significantly increased β-phase nucleation from ~15% to ~36%.
• Nanocomposite films exhibited enhanced thermal stability, withstanding temperatures up to 345 °C.
• Fabricated piezoelectric nanogenerators achieved output voltages up to 8.89 V via finger tapping.

Conclusions:

• Titanium dioxide nanoparticles effectively enhance the piezoelectric properties and thermal stability of PVDF-HFP.
• The developed PVDF-HFP/TiO2 nanocomposite is a promising material for piezoelectric nanogenerators.
• This work paves the way for advanced flexible electronic devices, including sensors, actuators, and self-sustaining systems.