PVDF Nanofibers with Embedded Polyaniline–Graphitic\nCarbon Nitride Nanosheet Composites for Piezoelectric Energy Conversion

Abstract

Herein, a facile\napproach was used to synthesize an ultrasensitive,\ndurable, and flexible electrospun poly­(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polyaniline\n(PANI)/graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C₃N₄) blend nanocomposite fibers (PPBF) based piezoelectric nanogenerator.\nPANI/g-C₃N₄ nanocomposite (PGNC) was prepared\nprior to its dispersal in PVDF. This unpretentious synthesis approach\nexploited the β-nucleating activity of g-C₃N₄ along with the enhancement of electrical conductivity due\nto a network of PANI within individual PVDF nanofibers. Addition of\nPGNC and electrospinning synergistically enhanced the β-phase\ncontent (∼97%) of PVDF. The PPBF nanogenerator displayed remarkable\nimprovement in the voltage and current output compared to pristine\nPVDF nanofibers (∼1300%). The nanogenerator generated a voltage\noutput of ∼30 V and current output of 3.7 μA with high\nstability and reproducibility (>50 000 cycles). The PPBF\nnanogenerator\nexhibited high-power density and conversion efficiency and was able\nto light up 70 commercial LEDs. The newly developed high performance\nnanogenerator could be a potential material in smart, self-powered\nwearable devices.