A Self-powered Kinetic Motion Sensor Fabricated from Electrospun MOF-5/PVDF-TrFE Composites Piezoelectric Nanogenerators

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) PVDF-TrFE is known for its low dielectric loss, high biocompatibility, safety, and durability. However, its piezoelectric performance alone is insufficient. In this study, we aim to enhance the piezoelectric performance by incorporating electrospinning and metal–organic framework-5 (MOF-5). Under high voltage conditions (15 kV), electrospinning is performed to increase the ratio of the highest dielectric constant β phase. Additionally, MOF-5, a porous material with high surface area and thermal stability, is added to form a metal–organic framework scaffold and create a micro-capacitor structure in the active layer. The power density of the 5 wt% MOF-5/PVDF-TrFE piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) obtained from the experiments exhibits excellent performance with a power density of 0.3 µWcm^–2, which is 132 times higher than that of pristine PVDF-TrFE PENG. This fabricated PENG possesses advantages such as biocompatibility and flexibility, making it suitable for sensing devices used in a self-powered kinetic motion sensor.

Graphical abstract

A self-powered piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) was developed using electrospun PVDF-TrFE/MOF-5 composites to enhance energy harvesting and sensing performance. The incorporation of MOF-5 significantly increased the β-phase content and piezoelectric output, achieving a power density of 0.3 μWcm⁻², 132 times higher than pristine PVDFTrFE. This biocompatible and flexible PENG demonstrates potential for applications in energy-efficient wearable electronics and self-powered kinetic motion sensors.