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Morphological changes towards enhancing piezoelectric properties of PVDF electrical generators using cellulose nanocrystals

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Abstract

For the first time, a nanocomposite of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/cellulose nanocrystal (PVDF/CNC) is developed as a piezoelectric energy harvester. This is implemented through electrospinning of PVDF solutions containing different levels of CNC loading, i.e., 0, 1, 3 and 5 % with respect to PVDF weight. Analytical techniques including DSC, FTIR and WAXD are conducted to monitor the polymorphism evolution within electrospun nanocomposites as the CNC content is varied. The results imply that CNCs at the optimum concentration (3 and 5 %) can effectively nucleate β crystalline phases. The nucleation of α crystalline phases is also prevented when CNCs are present within the structure of PVDF electrospun fibers. These changes in polymorphism give PVDF/CNC nanocomposites enhanced piezoelectric characteristics compared to pure PVDF nanofibers. We have demonstrated that the developed nanocomposites can charge a 33-μF capacitor over 6 V and light up a commercial LED for more than 30 s. It is envisaged that the PVDF/CNC nanocomposites provide the opportunity for the development of efficient electrical generators as self-powering devices to charge portable electronics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Textile Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran

    Hossein Fashandi & Parastoo Sandoghdar

  2. Chemical Engineering Department, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran

    Mohammad Mahdi Abolhasani

  3. Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, VIC, 3216, Australia

    Nima Zohdi, Quanxiang Li & Minoo Naebe

Authors
  1. Hossein Fashandi
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  2. Mohammad Mahdi Abolhasani
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  3. Parastoo Sandoghdar
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  4. Nima Zohdi
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  5. Quanxiang Li
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  6. Minoo Naebe
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Correspondence to Hossein Fashandi or Mohammad Mahdi Abolhasani.

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Fashandi, H., Abolhasani, M.M., Sandoghdar, P. et al. Morphological changes towards enhancing piezoelectric properties of PVDF electrical generators using cellulose nanocrystals. Cellulose 23, 3625–3637 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-016-1070-3

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