Dopamine-coated nano-SiO2-modified PVDF piezoelectric composite film

This paper presents a solvothermal method to produce polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) composite films doped with dopamine-modified nano-silica (dopamine@SiO2) particles. Combined results of FTIR, SEM and TEM confirm that dopamine is uniformly coated on the surface of the SiO2 with an average thickness of approximately 5 nm. FTIR, XRD and DSC are used to characterize the crystalline phase of the films, and it is found that compared with the pure PVDF films, doping with SiO2 and dopamine@SiO2 nanoparticles all increase the beta-phase content of the composite film. SEM of the composite films shows that the dopamine@SiO2 can be more uniformly dispersed in the PVDF matrix, and dopamine improves the compatibility of nano-SiO2 and PVDF. The piezoelectric coefficient (d(33)) and remnant polarization (P-r) of the SiO2/PVDF and dopamine@SiO2/PVDF composite films increase by up to 52%, 140%, 260% and 286% over that of the pure PVDF film, respectively. This work provides a promising new method for broadening nanofabrication technology and improving the performance of piezoelectric composites, contributing to studies on new curved-panel energy harvesters.

Automated summary

A solvothermal method was used to produce PVDF composite films doped with dopamine-modified nano-silica particles, which showed improved piezoelectric performance. The addition of dopamine enhanced the compatibility between nano-SiO2 and PVDF, resulting in increased piezoelectric coefficient and remnant polarization of the composite films. This work provides a promising new method for nanofabrication technology and improving the performance of piezoelectric composites.