Energy Harvesting Potential of Polymer Composites

Abstract

Energy is available all around us in different forms and shapes such as from sun, wind, waves, vibrations etc. The enormous amount of mechanical energy released in everyday life by human walking, transportation movement, sound waves and other, represent renewable and safe energy source. Piezoelectric generators exhibit a great potential for powering up low-power portable devices and self-powered electronic systems by extraction of mechanical energy. Employment of lead-free piezoelectric materials will be a breakthrough of a completely new type of safe and harmless production of energy for daily life. Recent challenge in electronics is also utilization of flexible electronics with the ability to bend into diverse shapes which expands the applications of modern electronic devices in different areas.Polymer PVDF/piezoelectric ceramics, flexible composite films were prepared by hot pressing method. The influence of hot pressing method on the formation of electroactive PVDF phases in the polymer was proven by FTIR analysis. DSC analysis have shown the change of PVDF crystallinity degree in the flexible films with addition of ceramics filler particles. The dielectric permittivity value increased with the addition of filler in the polymer matrix while the relaxation processes were governed mostly by the PVDF matrix. Polarization of flexible films enhanced the formation of PVDF electroactive β- phase in the samples. Energy harvesting potential was studied by measuring of voltage output under the impulse hammer load.