High-performance Self-polarized piezoelectric PVDF composites films for tribo-electric nanogenerators

Abstract This study introduces a novel and efficient methodology for enhancing the local dipole moment and β-phase fraction in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric polymer composites through the incorporation of hydroxylated barium titanate (H-BTO) nanoparticles, combined with a directional freeze-drying technique. This approach markedly increases the β-phase fraction within the composites. Through the optimization of H-BTO nanoparticle concentration, we achieve a strengthened interfacial bond between the inorganic nanofillers and the organic polymer matrix. This enhancement not only elevates the β-phase fraction (F(β)) but also enables significant piezoelectric effects without the necessity for electric polarization. Utilizing the freeze-drying PVDF/H-BTO composite films and PA6 membranes, we construct a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that exhibits high-performance outputs. This TENG proved capable of powering a temperature and humidity sensor, which transmitted real-time environmental data wirelessly to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The findings of this study underscore the effectiveness of our strategy in fabricating high-performance piezoelectric PVDF composite films and suggest potential for significant advancements in the domain of piezoelectric materials engineering.