Enhanced piezoelectricity of PVDF nanofibers via a plasticizer treatment for energy harvesting

Enhancing the electrical outputs of energy harvesters is a great demand for researchers in recent years. In this work, the effect of the plasticizer treatment (Tetrahydrofuran [THF]) on the beta phase content (F[beta]) of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) fiber webs which are used as active layers to directly make a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) is demonstrated. The results showed that during the plasticizer treatment, the F(beta) of the web increases when the initial length of the web (L-0) equals the distance between the two ends of the solid support (L) which the web fixed on it, whereas the F(beta) decreases when L < L-0 resulting in the formation of crimped fibers. Furthermore, the electrical outputs of the PENG based on the pristine web, and treated webs at different lengths are investigated. We believe this work can be used as a good reference for enhancing the electrical outputs of the PENG by enhancing the F (beta) of PVDF nanofiber webs using a plasticizer treatment.