Flexible electrospun PVDF / WO 3 nanocomposite fibers for piezoelectric energy harvesting applications

The emerging field of energy harvesting depends on the electrically conductive materials that are highly flexible and deformable. The morphological, structural, thermal, mechanical, and piezoelectric output studies of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and PVDF/WO 3 nanorods composite nanofibers were investigated for the piezoelectric energy harvesting applications. There is a significant enhancement in the piezoelectric β phase after the addition of the WO 3 nanorods into the PVDF. The elemental composition of the PVDF/WO 3 nanorods composite nanofibers is confirmed by the W, O, F, and C elements. The thermal stability of the WO 3 nanorods added composite nanofibers was increased up to 30°C in reference to TGA responses. Based on the mechanical test, the maximum tensile strength and modulus of elasticity were enhanced around by 220 and 246% for the WO 3 ‐integrated PVDF nanofibers. Furthermore, the piezoelectric coefficient of 18.98 pC/N is achieved for the composite PVDF nanofibers which are mainly due to the improvement of the electroactive β phase. The piezoelectric energy harvesting responses were found an output voltage of 2.1 V based on the microstrain set‐up. Thus, these WO 3 nanorods incorporated PVDF nanofibers keep the great potential for the piezoelectric energy harvesting, wearable electronics and biomedical applications.