Stretchable quaternary phasic PVDF-HFP nanocomposite films containing graphene-titania-SrTiO3 for mechanical energy harvesting

• Published in: Emergent materials (Online) 2018-06, Vol.1 (1-2), p.55-65
• Main Authors: Ponnamma, Deepalekshmi, Erturk, Alper, Parangusan, Hemalatha, Deshmukh, Kalim, Ahamed, M. Basheer, Al Ali Al-Maadeed, Mariam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry and Materials Science; Energy Materials; Materials Engineering; Materials Science; Original Article
• ISSN: 2522-5731; 2522-574X
• DOI: 10.1007/s42247-018-0007-z

Integrating efficient energy harvesting materials in to soft, flexible, and eco-friendly substrates could yield significant breakthroughs in wearable and flexible electronics. Substantial advances are emerged in fabricating devices which can conform to irregular surfaces in addition to integrating piezoelectric polymer nanocomposites in to mechanical generators and bendable electronics. Here, we present a tri-phasic filler combination of one-dimensional titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanotubes, two-dimensional reduced graphene oxide, and three-dimensional strontium titanate (SrTiO 3 ), introduced in to a semi-crystalline polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene). Simple mixing method was adopted for the composite fabrication after ensuring a high interaction between the various fillers. The prepared films were tested for their piezoelectric responses and mechanical stretchability. The results showed that the piezoelectric constant has increased due to the change in the filler concentration and reached a value of 7.52 pC/N at 1:2 filler combination. The output voltage obtained for the same filler composition was about 10.5 times that of the voltage generated by the neat polymer. Thus, we propose integration of these materials in fabricating energy conversion devices that can be useful in flexible and wearable electronics. Graphical abstract ᅟ