Synthesis and characterization of flexible PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO based piezoelectric materials for nanogenerator application

Flexible polymer-based piezoelectric nanogenerators have attracted the researchers the most due to their mechanical flexibility, low fabrication cost and pollution-free energy harvesting from sources such as vibration, mechanical load, human motion and waste heat. Here, we report a flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator with different kinds of nanofiller such as reduced graphene oxide and bismuth aluminate Bi2Al4O9 ceramic in Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The structural and morphological properties of nanocomposite films are examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies revealed the fraction of β-phase enhancement from 53 to 76% with incorporation of these nanofillers. The nanocomposite films of PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO showed maximum value of remnant polarization (Pr) is 0.0189 μC/cm2 at an electric field of 165 kV/cm and the value of electric output voltage and current generated from nanocomposite films is 5.92 V and 0.76 μA for PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO based nanocomposite. The PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO based nanocomposite generates a maximum output power density of 0.457 μW/cm2 at 12 MΩ resistance which is around 20 times more than that of bare PVDF film. •The nanocomposite of PVDF/RGO, PVDF/Bi2Al4O9 and PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO are prepared via sol-casting method.•The value polar β-phase enhancement from 53% in PVDF to 76% in PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO.•The P-E loop studies reveal that value of Pr is maximum for PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO.•The value of voltages and current for PVDF/Bi2Al4O9/RGO is found 5.92 V and 0.76μΑ.