2D circular-shaped sensor of poly (vinylidene fluoride) piezoelectric fibers fabricated through near-field direct-write electrospinning

This study presented an innovative concept to develop a home-made equipment to make a 2D circular-shaped polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fiber piezoelectric sensor. The fibers spun by direct-write near-field electrospinning can be collected orderly to enhance the orientation of dipole moments and the piezoelectric effect. The electrospinning system mainly consists of a high voltage power supply system, a digitally controlled X-Y table, a solution injection system, and a rotating flat disc collector system. PVDF piezoelectric fibers were spun for the sensing element of the sensor with a diameter of similar to 16 mu m under a high electric field (similar to 1.6 x 107 V/m). The optimal parameters of electrospinning process were investigated and determined by the uniform design (UD) method in terms of the working high voltage, feeding rate, and gap distance between the needle and collector. In addition, a prototype of this newly designed rotating flat disc collector system was utilized to make 2D circular-shaped PVDF piezoelectric fibers. Besides, the newly-designed radial electrodes were used to characterize multi-directional sensing ability. The 2D circular-shaped fibers were then packaged with this radial electrodes and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film together to measure the dynamic behavior characteristics.

Automated summary

This study presents a new concept to develop a home-made equipment for producing circular-shaped PVDF fiber piezoelectric sensors. The direct-write near-field electrospinning method is used to spin the fibers in an orderly manner, enhancing dipole moment orientation and piezoelectric effect. The electrospinning system consists of a high voltage power supply system, a digitally controlled X-Y table, a solution injection system, and a rotating flat disc collector system. Optimized parameters for the electrospinning process are determined using the uniform design method. The circular-shaped fibers are then packaged with radial electrodes and PET film for measuring dynamic behavior characteristics.