A self-powered piezoelectric Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Polyvinylidene fluoride fiber membrane with alternating multilayer porous structure for energy harvesting and wearable sensors

Abstract

Development of flexible wearable electronic devices requires high-performance piezoelectric sensors, being advantageous in high sensitivity, ease to microintegration without external power supply. In this work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fiber membranes with stable alternating multilayer structure were constructed through electrospinning and subsequent gas-phase crosslinking. The PVA/PVDF fiber was fully stretched with smooth surface and uniform diameter at appropriate PVDF concentration, exhibiting high porosity (88 %). The α-phase was transformed into the electroactive β-phase of PVDF in the electrospinning process, while the crystallinity and β-phase percentage (Fβ) were improved by mixing spinning of PVA and PVDF, with Fβ reaching above 90 %. The PVA/PVDF fiber membrane showed high mechanical strength/toughness and liquid absorbency (719.03 %). The significant electrical signal output (10.07 V and 166.42 nA) was generated, accompanying with high stress sensitivity, short response time and high stability, exhibiting excellent piezoelectricity and making the fiber membrane not only monitor large deformation movements of limbs as self-powered wearable sensor, but also sense weak signals of pulse, breathing etc. for monitoring human health, as well as environmental humidity. Meanwhile, the harvested energy could drive electronic device, showing prosperous potentials in fields of artificial intelligence.