Flexible tri-layer piezoelectric nanogenerator based on PVDF-HFP/Ni-doped ZnO nanocomposites

In this work, we report Ni doped ZnO/poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) [PVDF-HFP] nanocomposites prepared by sandwiching and their structural, morphological, thermal, electrical and piezoelectric properties. The X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectral (FTIR) studies of the nanocomposite films confirm the enhanced beta-phase crystallization in the PVDF-HFP matrix due to the Ni-doped ZnO nanoparticles. Microscopic images of the prepared samples substantiate homogeneous dispersion of Ni-doped ZnO nanoparticles in the polymer matrix resulting in higher b-phase nucleation. In addition, the nanocomposite shows a high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss, making it suitable for energy storage. The piezoelectric property increases with the filler concentration and a maximum generated output voltage of 1.2 V is achieved at 0.5 wt% Ni-doped ZnO.