Improved pyroelectric performances of functionally graded graphene nanoplatelet reinforced polyvinylidene fluoride composites: Experiment and modelling

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), as a pyroelectric polymer, has great potential applications in electronic devices and sensors. However, the low pyroelectric properties of pure PVDF limit its application. In this work, func-tionally graded graphene nanoplatelet (FG-GNP) reinforced PVDF composite films are prepared and test for their pyroelectric performance. Apart from experiments, the pyroelectric properties of the films are modelled and analyzed by finite element analysis (FEA), which is verified by the experiments as conducted. It demonstrates that the pyroelectric properties of FG-GNP/PVDF composite films are significantly improved compared to the homogeneous GNP/PVDF composite counterparts. It is found that for the same thickness and amount of GNP added, the increase in the number of layers leads to enhanced pyroelectric properties of the composite films. When the GNP concentration of the layer closed to the surfaces of the FG-GNP/PVDF composite film is higher, the pyroelectric properties and temperature stability of the film are more favorable.

Automated summary

This study successfully improved the pyroelectric properties of PVDF films by preparing functionally graded graphene nanoplatelet (FG-GNP) reinforced PVDF composite films. The increase in the number of layers and the concentration of GNP near the surface of the composite film were found to enhance the pyroelectric properties and temperature stability.