High-temperature flexible electric Piezo/pyroelectric bifunctional sensor with excellent output performance based on thermal-cyclized electrospun PAN/Zn(Ac)2 nanofiber mat

• Published in: Nano energy 2024-06, Vol.124, p.109488, Article 109488
• Main Authors: Yin, Rongyan, Li, Yinhui, Li, Weidong, Gao, Fei, Chen, Xiao, Li, Tingyu, Liang, Jianguo, Zhang, Hulin, Gao, Haifeng, Li, Pengwei, Zhou, Yunlei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Flexibility; High-temperature flexible sensors; PAN/Zn(Ac)2 nanofiber; Piezo/pyroelectric performance; Thermal-cyclization
• ISSN: 2211-2855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2024.109488

High-temperature sensors are critical in petrochemical, aerospace, and automotive industries. However, the inorganic piezoelectric materials for high-temperature sensors are usually rigid and only can work in low temperatures due to their low Curie temperature (< 200 °C), which restricts these sensors for high-temperature application. Herein, we report a high-temperature piezoelectric sensor based on PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite nanofiber mat created via electrospinning and thermal-oxidative stabilization process, which can continuously work over 500 °C. Moreover, the heat-treatment PAN is first found to be pyroelectric. The effects of the different heat-treatment temperatures on the mechanical and electrical performance of PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite nanofiber mats are studied systematically. The maximum voltage output of the PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite film sensor is 14.13 V at room temperature, and the voltage output of the composite film (450 ℃ heat-treated) sensor is about 14.86 V at high temperature. Besides, it has durability for over 10000 cycles (room temperature), and it has durability for over 5000 cycles and stability after 60 days (400 ℃). The PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite nanofiber film also showed a linear voltage response to the thermal gradient, but the pyroelectric output of the PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite nanofiber film is independent of the heat treatment temperature. The PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite film sensor can charge a capacitor and can instantly drive small electronic devices when the capacitor discharges, and the PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite film sensor can be applied to fire safety. Overall, good flexibility, high-temperature resistance, and bifunctional sensing ability make PAN/Zn(Ac)2-type sensors expected to be widely used in the high-temperature field of fire safety, the automotive industry, and other harsh environment. [Display omitted] •The addition of Zn(Ac)2 can precyclize PAN and decrease the cyclization temperature.•The PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite nanofiber sensor can continuously work over 500 °C.•The heat-treatment PAN is first found to be pyroelectric.•The PAN/Zn(Ac)2 composite nanofiber sensor is piezoelectric and pyroelectric bifunctional sensor.