Near-field electrospinning fabrication of piezoelectric polymer microfiber sensors for detection of weak mechanical excitation

Collection and conversion of widespread mechanical energy is one promising way to alleviate environmental pollution and energy crisis. Piezoelectric materials can effectively realise this conversion between mechanical and electrical energies. Here, via near-field electrospinning, piezoelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfibers were fabricated on flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate. Bending measurement indicated that open-circuit voltage response from piezoelectric microfibers was strain dependent but insensitive to bending frequency. The microfiber sensor could detect acoustic signals with sound pressure level between 70 and 120 dB and the recorded acoustic frequency was well consistent with the nominal frequency. Light wind from a low-power hand fan was also detected by this microfiber sensor. This simply structured and highly flexible piezoelectric microfiber sensor provided a promising and low-cost fabrication measure for weak mechanical excitation sensing.