Fabrication of flexible piezoelectric PMN-PT based composite films for energy harvesting

Flexible piezoelectric composite films of lead magnesium niobate and lead titanate (PMN-PT) ceramic and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MW-CNT) in the matrix of polyvinyldene fluoride (PVDF) were fabricated for green energy harvesting and self-powered sensing. Compositions of PMN-PT was varied from 10-50 volume (vol. %) in PVDF matrix while a constant concentration of MW-CNT was maintained (1vol. %). Phase purity of the synthesized composites was confirm by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. PMN-PT powder was found to be in single phase without the presence of any additional peak, which generally arises due to crystallization of another pyrochlore phase. Surface morphology study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a well dispersed PMN-PT/CNT in PVDF matrix. The maximum measured output voltage and current during mechanical pressing and releasing conditions were found to be similar to 3 volt and 30 nA, respectively in 30 vol. % PMN-PT composite.