Flexible electroactive PVDF/ZnO nanocomposite with high output power and current density

In the present study, a lightweight and flexible polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite was prepared using a low-temperature phase-inversion process. The synergetic effect of low-temperature, phase-inversion, and the integration of ZnO nanoparticles primes on enhancing the electroactive polar β-phase in the nanocomposite. The transformation of the electroactive phase and its quantification were carried out using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The PVDF/ZnO piezoelectric polymer nanocomposite was utilized for energy harvesting application that showed a better electromechanical response of ca. 69 V (peak to peak) at ~1.6 N, 250 μW/cm² surface power density and 0.25 mA/cm² surface current density. The fabricated piezoelectric polymer nanocomposite is a possible candidate for superior energy scavenging applications for capturing human kinematics.