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

The emergence of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) presents a promising alternative to supply energy demands within the realms of portable and miniaturized devices. In this article, the role of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide tungsten sulfide (WS₂) and conductive rGO sheets as filler materials inside the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix on piezoelectric performances has been investigated extensively. The strong electrostatic interaction between C-F and C-H monomer bonds of PVDF interacted with the large surface area of the WS₂nanosheets, increasing the electroactive polar phases and resulting in enhanced ferroelectricity in the PVDF/WS₂nanocomposite. Further, the inclusion of rGO sheets in the PVDF/WS₂composite allows mobile charge carriers to move freely through the conductive network provided by the rGO basal planes, which improves the internal polarization of the PVDF/WS₂/rGO nanocomposites and increases the electrical performance of the PENGs. The PVDF/WS₂/0.3rGO nanocomposite-based PENG exhibits maximum piezoresponses with ∼8.1 times enhancements in the output power density than the bare PVDF-based PENG. The mechanism behind the enhanced piezoresponses in the PVDF/WS₂/rGO nanocomposites has been discussed.