Ekbote G.S.Khalifa M.Mahendran A.Anandhan S.2021-05-052021-05-052021Soft Matter , Vol. 17 , 8 , p. 2215 - 2222https://doi.org/10.1039/d0sm01943ghttps://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/16021Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is among the most versatile polymers due to its wide range of properties, including dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. However, more frequently than not a range of processing routes and/or additives have been used to enhance such properties. In this study, PVDF nanofibers were electrospun from PVDF solution that contained tetra-n-butyl ammonium chloride (TBAC) at different loadings (1, 2, 3, and 5 wt%). The effect of TBAC on the morphology, crystallinity, and polymorphism of PVDF was studied using various characterization techniques. Addition of TBAC significantly improved the electroactive β-phase of PVDF. The highest β-phase content of 89% was attained at a TBAC loading of 3 wt%. Consequently, the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the PVDF nanofibers improved significantly. A nanogenerator fabricated using 3 wt% TBAC/PVDF nanofibers exhibited the maximum voltage output of 17.2 V (under 5 N force) and the maximum power density of ∼1.4 μW cm−2(under 3 N force). Improved dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PVDF upon the addition of a small amount of TBAC could be useful for researchers in upbringing the material for flexible electronic devices. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021.Article