High performance flexible actuator: PVDF nanofibers incorporated with axially aligned carbon nanotubes

Abstract The actuation performance of piezoelectric polymers is strongly related to the quality of process-induced electroactive polar phase in their crystalline structure. Functional polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) could easily process into a one-dimensional confined nanostructure with desirable piezoelectric performance. Here, we aligned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) along the axial direction of the PVDF nanofibers during the electrospinning process. Fully extended polymeric chains induced by the axial distribution of the MWCNTs inside the PVDF nanofibers are the main reason for the considerable increase in the β-phase content, crystallinity, and mechanical properties of the system. The electrospun nanofibers were then assembled to the one-end fixed piezoelectric actuators. The superior actuation bending of 24 μm in response to the electric field of 4 V/μm, made our PVDF/1.5 wt% MWCNT actuator display improved performance concerning the previously reported actuators based on PVDF nanofibers.