Unleashing the Potential: Strategies for Enhancing Performance of Electrospun PVDF-Based Piezoelectric Nanofibrous Membranes

Abstract

In recent years, driven by the pressing demand for sustainable energy solutions, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a promising piezoelectric material, has garnered considerable attention for its application in energy-harvesting devices. PVDF stands out as the material of choice in piezoelectric generator technology owing to its remarkable flexibility, superior processability, long-term stability, and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, PVDF-based generators exhibit inferior piezoelectric responses compared to traditional piezoelectric ceramic materials, thereby constraining their performance in large-scale deployments. To address this limitation, researchers have been exploring innovative strategies to enhance the piezoelectric properties of PVDF. Among these, electrospinning technology emerges as a pivotal approach due to its ability to impart mechanical stretching and in situ polarization to the polymer during fabrication. This paper comprehensively reviews recent advancements in optimizing the output performance of PVDF-based piezoelectric nanofiber membranes through the integration of filler doping technology with electrospinning. We delve into the effects of various filler types on the properties of electrospun PVDF-based piezoelectric nanofiber membranes and explore their underlying mechanisms. These fillers significantly bolster the output performance of PVDF-based piezoelectric devices by augmenting PVDF's piezoelectric activity, fostering dipole orientation, and elevating the dielectric constant. Notably, the incorporation of fillers not only elevates the piezoelectric coefficient but also optimizes the microstructure, facilitating an efficient conversion between mechanical and electrical energy. Furthermore, we envision the promising application prospects of PVDF piezoelectric nanofibers in cutting-edge fields, such as health monitoring, environmental monitoring, and energy-harvesting systems. These domains urgently require piezoelectric materials that combine high sensitivity, stability, and cost-effectiveness, where PVDF-based piezoelectric nanofibers, with their distinctive advantages, are poised to demonstrate significant application potential and societal value.