PVDF Nanofibers with Embedded Polyaniline–Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheet Composites for Piezoelectric Energy Conversion

Abstract

Herein, a facile approach was used to synthesize an ultrasensitive, durable, and flexible electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polyaniline (PANI)/graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C3N4) blend nanocomposite fibers (PPBF) based piezoelectric nanogenerator. PANI/g-C3N4 nanocomposite (PGNC) was prepared prior to its dispersal in PVDF. This unpretentious synthesis approach exploited the β-nucleating activity of g-C3N4 along with the enhancement of electrical conductivity due to a network of PANI within individual PVDF nanofibers. Addition of PGNC and electrospinning synergistically enhanced the β-phase content (∼97%) of PVDF. The PPBF nanogenerator displayed remarkable improvement in the voltage and current output compared to pristine PVDF nanofibers (∼1300%). The nanogenerator generated a voltage output of ∼30 V and current output of 3.7 μA with high stability and reproducibility (>50 000 cycles). The PPBF nanogenerator exhibited high-power density and conversion efficiency and was able to light up 70 commercial LEDs. The newly developed high performance nanogenerator could be a potential material in smart, self-powered wearable devices.