Polymorphism, dielectric and piezoelectric response of organo-modified Ni–Co layered double hydroxide nanosheets dispersed electrospun PVDF nanofabrics

Abstract

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with excellent flexibility and electroactive properties is a promising material for energy harvesting. In this study, organically modified Ni–Co layered double hydroxide (OLDH) was synthesized and the nanosheets of this OLDH were used as filler in electrospun PVDF nanofabrics. Morphology, crystallinity, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of the electrospun nanofabrics were characterized. Presence of OLDH in PVDF nanofabrics led to enhancement of polar ?-phase in the latter, which was corroborated from the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Dielectric constant of the nanofabrics tends to increase with OLDH content, while the corresponding dielectric loss remained low. An indigenously designed nanogenerator from these nanofabrics exhibited a maximum output voltage of 6.9 V and power density of 0.92 ?W/cm2 under human finger tapping mode at 3 wt% loading of OLDH. The synergistic effect of OLDH and electrospinning contributed to the enhancement of the ?-phase content, thereby the piezoelectric response of the composite nanofabrics. The demonstrated nanogenerator could possibly power flexible and portable electronic devices. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.