A progressive strategy for harvesting mechanical energy using flexible PVDF-rGO-MoS2 nanocomposites film-based piezoelectric nanogenerator

Piezoelectric materials can make substantial contributions to resolve the overall energy crisis by providing a renewable energy solution. With the present increase in the number of microscale devices, piezoelectric power generation can provide an appropriate alternative to conventional power sources for low powered electronic devices. In this study, Flexible PVDF, PVDF-MoS2, and PVDF-rGO-MoS2 thin films were prepared by polymer solution casting method and their piezoelectric properties are explored. The structural and morphological characteristics of the synthesized materials and thin films were examined using XRD, FTIR, and PFM techniques. The fabricated flexible film is encapsulated with an insulating layer so that when we tap the device, the electrodes are not affected. The flexible thin film of PVDF-rGO-MoS2 has significantly improved generated voltage which is similar to 5 times higher than the flexible film of PVDF and similar to 2 times higher than PVDF-MoS2 flexible film. The mechanism involved in the improved piezoresponse of the flexible thin film was also proposed. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Flexible thin films of PVDF, PVDF-MoS2, and PVDF-rGO-MoS2 were prepared by polymer solution casting method, and their piezoelectric properties were explored. These films exhibited significantly improved generated voltage when subjected to vibration, providing a potential alternative energy solution for low powered electronic devices.