Self-poled, flexible P(VDF-TrFE) tri-layer energy harvester with PDMS/carbon black electrostatic interaction layer

Abstract Flexible piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) have gained significant attention due to the increasing demand for compact energy sources to power miniaturized wearable electronic devices. However, the selection of materials, non-uniform fabrication methods, and poling remain the main challenges in piezoelectric energy harvesting techniques. To address these challenges, we have developed a highly flexible, poling-free P(VDF-TrFE) tri-layer energy harvester device by employing a PDMS/Carbon black interaction layer, avoiding complex fabrication and patterning processes. The PDMS/CB electrostatic interaction layer between the two P(VDF-TrFE) layers facilitated the alignment of dipoles in one direction, achieving self-poling without any additional external poling or CB incorporation in the P(VDF-TrFE) layers. The tri-layer PEH generated a maximum output voltage of 9.44 V pk-pk and a current of 4.4 μA pk-pk under 6 N applied force, and 5 Hz excitation, with an output voltage 9 times higher than that of a single-layer P(VDF-TrFE) energy harvester. An average power of 21.84 μW and a power density of 5.4 μW cm −2 were demonstrated by this device, which are ∼35 times higher compared to the single layer energy harvester. Taken together, the fabricated PDMS/CB interaction layer-based P(VDF-TrFE) PEH demonstrates strong potential for applications in self-powered wearable electronic devices.