Electrospun nanofibers of PVDF-HFP composites containing magnetic nickel ferrite for energy harvesting application

Abstract

Nickel ferrite nanoparticles (NiFe2O4) synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method, are added to poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoroproplyene) (PVDF-HFP) in specific concentrations (1, 2, and 3 wt%) and the composite nanofibers are fabricated by electrospinning. Structural investigation and morphology of the synthesized NiFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles reveal its spinel nature. The crystalline behavior in addition to the ferroelectric properties of NiFe2O4 enhance the interfacial interaction with the polymer chains and creates better dipole alignment and phase transformations within the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite with 1 wt% NiFe2O4 shows the maximum dielectric constant of 118 at 1 Hz frequency, which is about 24 times higher than that of the neat polymer. At the typical concentration of 2 wt% NiFe2O4 in PVDF-HFP, the nanocomposite is capable to generate an output voltage of 4 V suggesting the possible use of those flexible and magnetic polymer nanocomposites in designing piezoelectric devices. The structural performance, dielectric properties and the energy harvesting performance of the PVDF-HFP/NiFe2O4 nanocomposites are demonstrated here based on the filler and polymer characteristics.