Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Using Flexible Self-Poled Electroactive Nanofabrics Based on PVDF/ZnO-Decorated SWCNT Nanocomposites

Abstract

This study probes the synergism of electrospinning and zinc oxide-decorated single-walled carbon nanotubes (ZCNT) in enhancing the β-phase nucleation and piezoelectric performance of PVDF. The nanofibers were spun in the form of nonwoven fabrics and characterized for their morphology, crystallinity, polymorphism, and tensile properties. Inclusion of ZCNT significantly promoted the β-phase (~95%) and tensile properties of PVDF, while the total degree of crystallinity was reduced. The highest voltage output of 15.5 V, which is 15 times more than that of the pristine PVDF nanofabrics, and a power density of 8.1 μWcm−2 was attained for the nanogenerator based on 0.75 wt.% ZCNT/PVDF nanofabrics. Implementation of electrospinning process and ZCNT proved to be beneficial in fabricating a flexible, lightweight, and robust nanogenerator for electronic devices. © 2022, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.