Synthesis of Polyvinylidene Fluoride-Graphene Based Polymer Nanocomposite with Enhanced Piezoelectric Properties

Abstract

Piezoelectric energy harvesting has gained attention due to its potential to aid the designing of self-sustaining energy devices. This study examines the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) incorporation on the piezoelectric, dielectric, and mechanical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The PVDF was doped with 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% GNPs as filler material through melt intercalation. The piezoelectric voltage constant, dissipation factor, modulus of elasticity, and resistivity were evaluated to assess improvements in performance. There was an enhancement in piezoelectric voltage constant due to addition of GNPs. The piezoelectric voltage constant increased by 59.7% and 5.5% with the addition of 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% GNPs respectively, suggesting better mechanical energy conversion efficiency at lower filler concentration. Lower dissipation factor was observed with increase in the concentration of filler, around power frequency (50 Hz), while maintaining higher resistivity, indicative of good dielectric performance. Mechanical analysis revealed that the Young’s modulus improved with increase in GNPs addition, confirming enhanced stiffness and stress transfer. Although 1.0 wt% loading of GNPs shows better dielectric performance, 0.5 wt% graphene loading significantly enhanced PVDF’s piezoelectric sensitivity and mechanical strength, making it a promising material for flexible sensors and energy-harvesting applications.