BaTiO3@PVDF-TrFE nanocomposites with efficient orientation prepared via phase separation nano-coating method for piezoelectric performance improvement and application to 3D-PENG

Abstract

Piezoelectric organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites utilize the advantages of high piezoelectricity of piezoelectric ceramics as well as the dielectric properties and flexibility of polymers. BaTiO₃ particles that are nano-coated using the phase separation nano-coating method have effective orientation due to interaction with the PVDF-TrFE polymer chain. After mixing the piezoelectric BaTiO₃ nanoparticles with the PVDF-TrFE matrix, an organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite film with enhanced efficiency characteristics of inorganic piezoelectric particles, and the flexibility and processability of the polymer was fabricated. The piezoelectric organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposite film, in which the BaTiO₃ coated with a polymer layer of about 5 nm or less, was dispersed and produced an output voltage of 59.5 V and an output current of 6.52 μA at a relatively low compression pressure of 100 N and frequency of 2.5 Hz. The result was about 4.8 times and 2 times higher than that of pure PVDF-TrFE and BaTiO₃ nanocomposite dispersed films, respectively. The output power was measured against the external load resistance. On the other hand, the maximum output power value was measured to be 165.8 μW. In addition, by using the excellent processability of the uniformly dispersed BaTiO₃@PVDF-TrFE nanocomposite solution, the piezoelectric nano-generator was implemented in a new form, in which the existing form factor was changed by coating on a three-dimensional shape as well as a two-dimensional flat film.