Piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene) thin film-based power generators using paper substrates for wearable device applications

Abstract

Solution-derived poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) piezoelectric thin films on cellulose paper substrates were prepared as flexible power generators for wearable device applications. Optimization of appropriate annealing and cooling sequences of the co-polymer films resulted in the formation of dense and uniform microstructures exhibiting a well-developed β-phase. A maximum open-circuit voltage of 1.5 V was generated from the periodic bending and releasing of the paper power generator at approximately 1 Hz. To demonstrate the wearable applications, P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric film-based paper power generators were directly attached on the back of a human hand, and they generated a maximum output open-circuit voltage of 0.4 V at low bending frequencies of 0.25 Hz. Good open-circuit voltage performance at low frequencies makes P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric thin films on paper substrates a strong candidate for future self-powered wearable devices.