Investigation of the piezoelectric performance of P(VDF-TrFE)/SnO2NPs/GR composite film fabricated via electrospinning

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper introduces an innovative sandwich-structured piezoelectric nanogenerator film. In contrast to conventional piezoelectric generators, it exhibits enhanced flexibility and generates higher voltage. It can function as a self-sustaining power source for wearable sensors. To augment the film’s β-phase content, consequently boosting the nanogenerator’s voltage output, the nanofilm was manufactured through high-voltage electrospinning in poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), incorporating stannic oxide nanoparticles (SnO2NPS) and graphene (GR).The relationship between the surface morphology, β-phase content, and voltage output performance of composite piezoelectric films with distinct compositions was comprehensively assessed and scrutinized utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and vibration platforms. The findings reveal that the composition of 12% P(VDF-TrFE) + 5% SnO2NPS + 0.1% GR yields the finest fiber alignment, the highest β-phase content, as well as peak open-circuit voltage and short-circuit peak current values of 22.43 V and 12.95 μA, respectively. This signifies a 1.5-fold and 1.3-fold improvement compared to the film containing only SnO2NPS, and a 2.43-fold and 1.92-fold enhancement relative to the pure P(VDF-TrFE) film. Consequently, it achieves a maximum instantaneous output power of 64.578 μW. Securing the nanogenerator with the aforementioned composition to the sole of a shoe and running for 21 minutes can charge the capacitor to 4 V, thereby empowering it to operate commercial liquid crystal thermometers or approximately 80 LED lights for approximately 1.6 seconds. This technology possesses substantial significance within the realm of self-sustaining low-power electronic devices.