Influence of Various Physiochemical Parameters of AFeO(3) (A = Bi, Er, Ga, La, Sm, Y) Fillers on the Dielectric, Ferroelectric, Energy Storage, and Mechanical Energy Harvesting Performance of PVDF

Abstract

Different filler particles are very often used by researchers all over the world to tune the dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric, energy storage, and energy harvesting properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). In the present work, different perovskite ferrites, AFeO3 (A = Bi, Er, Ga, La, Sm, and Y), are included into PVDF matrix separately. The roles of different parameters like, particle size, dielectric permittivity, ferroelectric polarization, crystal structure, etc. of the fillers in tuning the performance of respective PVDF-based composites are comprehensively and simultaneously studied here. Non-centrosymmetric fillers are found to improve the output performances of PVDF more effectively compared to that of centrosymmetric fillers. 5 wt% BiFeO3-loaded PVDF film (5BF) shows the best performance in all aspects. Upon repeated human finger tapping, the maximum instantaneous output power density and instantaneous current across a 10 MΩ resistor connected across the 5BF film are found to be ≈3 µW cm−2 and 1.25 µA, respectively. The rectified voltage from 5BF nanogenerator is used to charge a 10 µF commercial capacitor up to ≈2.8 V and lights up some LEDs as a part of its real life applicability. The fabricated nanogenerator also shows good vibration and pressure sensing ability.