Nanoscale interfacial electroactivity in Fe2O3NPs/PVDF-TrFE films with improved dielectric properties as a potential negative tribolayer for TENG applications

Abstract The addition of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 2 O 3 NPs) into PVDF-TrFE matrix is introduced to prepare self-polarized nanocomposites by a casting method. Morphological and structural analysis of PVDF-TrFE along with various concentrations of Fe 2 O 3 NPs is realized. Loading 10 mg Fe 2 O 3 NPs introduces a remarkable enhancement of PVDF-TrFE electroactive polymorph. UV–VIS absorption spectra show a gradual red shift of the main absorption edge beside the emerged absorption band at around 400 nm. Also, the optical properties were represented in determination of Urbach energy, direct and indirect optical band gap energy, and refractive index. The FTIR spectra show a remarkable increase in the intensity of the electroactive vibrational bands of Fe 2 O 3 NPs/PVDF-TrFE nanocomposites due to the interaction between polymer chain and nanoparticle. Also, the crystallinity of PVDF-TrFE is clearly enhanced, as elucidated by FTIR and XRD. Moreover, DSC realizes the electroactive polymorph promotion of PVDF-TrFE. The obtained dielectric parameters and electrical conductivity of Fe 2 O 3 NPs/PVDF-TrFE nanocomposites are considerably enhanced. Graphical abstract