Multifunctional transducer using poly (vinylidene fluoride) active layer and highly conducting poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) electrode: Actuator and generator

Monomorph and bimorph multifunctional transducers such as actuators and generators were fabricated using a piezoelectric poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) films as the active layer and a highly conducting poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly (4-styrenesulfonate) [PEDOT/PSS (DMSO for solvent)] as the electrode. In order to enhance the adhesion of the films, either the PVDF films or PEDOT/PSS (DMSO) electrodes were modified using an ion-assisted-reaction (IAR) method. The direct (generator) and inverse piezoelectric (motor) effects as well as the pyroelectric effect in the PVDF-PEDOT/PSS based devices were observed. The tip displacement of the 12 mm by 30 mm bimorph device made with the PEDOT/PSS (DMSO) electrodes was 3.5 mm at the resonance frequency with an appled potential of 40 V-rms. The sinusoidal output voltage of the bimorph type generator consisting of the PVDF active layers and PEDOT/PSS (DMSO) electrodes increased with increasing tip displacement induced by a vibrator. A maximum output voltage of 4.1 V in the pyroelectric PVDF device was generated with a change in temperature. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.