Correlation between layer number and the polymorphism, mechanical and electrical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/barium titanate composites

Abstract The study investigates how altering the number of layers in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composites with barium titanate nanorods affects the amount of α, β and γ polymorphs, the tensile strength, the flexibility and piezoelectric output of the membrane composites. Composite membranes were produced using the doctor‐blade casting method, integrating PVDF with different quantities of BaTiO 3 nanorods (BT rods). Further tests using XRD and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed a strong connection between the perovskite BT rods and the changes in the polymer's structure. The highest open‐circuit voltage measured by the piezoelectric nanogenerator was 5.32 V for a single layer consisting of 40% BT rods. A triple‐layer structure including PVDF/40BT‐PVDF‐PVDF/40BT attained a voltage of 5.26 V. The proposed single‐ and triple‐layer piezoelectric nanogenerator configurations are anticipated to serve as efficient power sources for self‐sustaining systems in electronic applications. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.