Presence of polar and non-polar conformations in P(VDF-TrFE) films for efficient piezoelectric nano-energy harvester

Abstract

In this study, we examined the energy harvesting potential of a neat polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer with trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)), solution-casted onto ITO/aluminium substrates and subjected to various thermal treatments. To the best of our knowledge, the first time all three phases, i.e., α, β, and γ, are observed in P(VDF-TrFE), which is an interesting phenomenon, and it primarily influences the piezoelectric output. This research article renounces the conventional assumptions of the presence of only the polar β phase in P(VDF-TrFE) ferroelectric polymer. The piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties, which are elevated by nanofillers, and processing costs are addressed through a straightforward and industrially feasible solvent casting and annealing technique. The annealed polymer film exhibited a peak-to-peak open-circuit voltage of 5 Volts under finger tapping, with a recorded short-circuit current of 120 nA. An enhanced polar β-phase conformation of 27% was achieved through a straightforward synthesis process in the pristine film. The piezoelectric, spectroscopic, microstructural, and morphological properties of the annealed P(VDF-TrFE) as base matrix give the potential role in sensors, actuators, piezoelectric devices, and energy harvesting devices.