Temperature Effect Analysis of PVDF-Based Piezoelectric Energy Harvester

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the temperature-dependent performance of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-based piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs), integrating both experimental analysis and finite element modeling. The primary objective is to elucidate the influence of temperature variations on the electrical output and resonant frequency of PVDF-based PEHs, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of energy harvesting systems in diverse thermal environments. Recognizing that environmental conditions play a significant role in the degradation and failure of electronic devices, this research evaluates the electrical output and resonant frequency of PEHs across a temperature range of −20 °C to 50 °C. Four identical PEH prototypes were fabricated and subjected to controlled temperature conditions, revealing a nonlinear increase in output voltage and power with rising temperature, while the resonant frequency remained relatively stable. A new, flexible test rig was set up to easily check how PEH devices perform in different temperatures, and it can also be scaled up for testing many devices in large production. To accurately simulate the observed behavior, finite element models incorporating experimentally derived Rayleigh damping coefficients were developed using COMSOL Multiphysics. The simulations closely matched the experimental data, validating the effectiveness of the damping parameters in capturing the dynamic response of the PEHs under varying thermal conditions. The proposed methodology provides a strong basis for future research into thermal aging effects, long-term durability, and performance optimization of polymer-based energy harvesters. The findings underscore the suitability of PVDF as a piezoelectric material with a steel substrate for energy harvesting applications.