Comparative study of piezoelectric properties of electrospun PVDF/WO3, PVDF/TiO2, and PVDF/ZnO microstructures

This study reports the fabrication of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite fibers reinforced with tungsten trioxide (WO3), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and zinc oxide (ZnO) for enhanced piezoelectric performance. The incorporation of these metal oxides promotes β-phase formation and dipole alignment, significantly amplifying PVDF’s inherent piezoelectric response. Electrospinning produces ultra-fine fibers with uniform nanoparticle dispersion, as confirmed by SEM, XRD, and FTIR analyses. Under mechanical stimulation, PVDF/WO3 and PVDF/TiO2 fibers exhibit remarkable piezoelectric outputs, achieving voltages of 2.8 V and 3.0 V, currents of 1.5 µA and 1.8 µA, and maximum power densities of 4.2 µW/cm2 and 5.1 µW/cm2, respectively. These enhancements arise from synergistic interactions between the PVDF matrix and metal oxides, facilitating efficient stress transfer and charge generation. The findings highlight the potential of metal oxide–embedded PVDF nanofibers for high-performance energy harvesting, providing a promising platform for self-powered and wearable electronic devices.