This study aimed to explore the influence of film thickness on the piezoelectric efficiency of polyvinylidene fluoride/graphitic carbon nitrate nanosheet (GCN) composite films, taking into account the effect of GCN alignment. Our findings demonstrated that the piezoelectric performance of these films was markedly dependent on their thickness. We have observed a direct relationship between film thickness and piezoelectric efficiency, with thicker films showing a greater capability to convert mechanical pressure into electric energy. This increased efficiency is attributed to the enhanced ability to thicker films to distribute stress uniformly across the material, which is crucial for optimizing the piezoelectric effect. Our results advance the understanding of how variation in film thickness impact mechanical properties such as stiffness and flexibility, which subsequently affect the piezoelectric response. Through predictive modeling, we analyzed the mechanical dynamics of film displacement under an electrical potential and clarified how different thickness influenced the mechanical properties and piezoelectric output. This detailed analysis deepens the fundamental understanding of material design for optimal piezoelectric performance and underscores the critical role of film thickness in engineering application.
This article introduces a new method in which tung oil is employed as a bio-friendly curative substance enclosed within melamine-urea-formaldehyde microcapsules. Due to the high reactivity of melamine, particle agglomeration can occur. To tackle this issue, this study focuses on optimizing the quantity of emulsifiers to achieve the best microcapsules with 15% melamine in the shell structure without particle agglomeration. The impact of melamine content and the quantity of emulsifier on the morphology of the synthesized microcapsules, the reaction yield, core content, and the hardness of the microcapsule shell were investigated. The presence of tung oil in melamine-urea-formaldehyde microcapsules was proven by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed the spherical morphology of the capsules with a mean diameter of 2.29 μm. UV–vis analysis and nano-indentation tests were used to evaluate the core content and the hardness of the result microcapsules, respectively. Finally, one sample, as the best microcapsule, was dispersed in an alkyd-based resin in the amount of 1, 2.5, and 5 wt% and applied on a steel substrate for its ability to prevent corrosion. The study also highlights the adverse effect of excessive capsule usage in the resin, as demonstrated by reduced resin adhesion to the substrate, according to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and salt spray tests. The study found that the best long-term anticorrosion properties are achieved by including 1 wt% of microcapsules in an alkyd resin.