FABRICATION OF FLEXIBLE PIEZOELECTRIC ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE

Abstract

Fabrication of flexible piezoelectric energy harvesting device made from poly [(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene](PVDF-TrFE)polymer has been reported.Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)film is used as the substrate. Due to its flexibility the device can be actuated by applying a small deflection, which results in the generation of piezoelectricity. Morphology of PVDF thin films has been studied for the enhancement of electroactive β-phase as it has the highest electroactive properties among the four crystalline phases of PVDF. PVDF polymer is in α phase, which does not produce piezoelectricity. MWCNT composite is added to the pure PVDF polymer and electrospinning is done to produce β phase by composite addition and stretching during electrospinning. Morphology of PVDF thin films has been studied for the enhancement of electroactive β-phase, which has highest electroactive properties among the four crystalline phases of PVDF. An energy harvesting device is fabricatedsuch that PVDF-TrFE polymer layer was deposited between the top and bottom electrodes. A piezoelectric energy harvesting device is fabricated, which produces a peak to peak voltage of 3.68 V at the resonant frequency of 48 Hz.