Self-powered infrared detector enabled by interfacial anchoring and thermal reinforcement

Abstract

• PZT-CNT/PVDF ternary composite (PTC) based infrared detector was developed. • Doped CNTs facilitates the photo-thermal energy conversion and heat transfer. • The pyroelectric coefficient of composites was enhanced via interfacial anchoring. • The effect of CNT doping amount on HMI and infrared detection was studied. Pyroelectricity enables autonomous perception and remote detection in the field of infrared sensor, human machine interfacing and virtual reality. However, the low pyroelectric coefficient and inferior thermal conductivity hinders the energy conversion and signal transduction of pyroelectric sensors. Herein, we designed and prepared PZT-CNT/PVDF ternary composite (PTC) capable of infrared sensing and noncontact human machine interfacing (HMI). The incorporation of CNT not only facilitates the photo-thermal energy conversion and the heat transfer toward embedded PZT fillers, but also boost the all-trans conformation of fluoropolymer matrix and thus pyroelectric activity. The influence of CNT doping mass fractions on the pyroelectric noncontacted HMI and infrared detection properties was investigated. It is found that a doping content of 3 wt% gives rise to an optimal proximity sensitivity of 55.78 % and infrared detection optimum value of F d 6.42 μPa −1/2 , which is 13.97 % higher than that of the undoped version. This work provides insight into the interfacial coupling mechanism of pyroelectrics, and offers the new possibility for design of high-performance self-powered sensing devices.