Enhancing piezoelectric performance of PVDF/PEG blends with ZnO and BaTiO₃ nanofillers for nanogenerator and UV sensing

In this study, we developed nanocomposite films from a blend of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), incorporating varying concentrations of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and Barium Titanate (BaTiO₃) nanoparticles. PVDF/PEG based films were prepared via the non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) technique to achieve simultaneous multifunctional properties for nanogeneration and UV sensing, a dual functionality rarely reported. The ZnO nanoparticles exhibit a colloidal morphology with an average size of 27.04 ± 0.7 nm, while BaTiO₃ nanoparticles exhibit a cubic shaped with an average size of 67.84 ± 1.7 nm. The pristine polymer nanocomposite membrane exhibited slight irregular porosity (>1 µm, 19.82 %), which increased upon incorporation of nanoparticles. With 0.5 and 1 wt% of nanofillers, the membranes displayed heterogeneous pore structures ranging from 200 nm to 4 µm, and porosity of 21.42 % and 24.11 %, respectively. Surface wettability analysis indicates that all films were highly hydrophobic, with contact angles exceeding 110°, attributed to the inherent hydrophobic nature of PVDF/PEG blend and surface roughness. The optimal output voltage and UV sensing were observed at low nanoparticle concentration, with a peak-to-peak voltage of 1.4 V for 0.5 wt% of the ZnO/BaTiO 3 . However, nanoparticle concentrations above 3 wt% lead to a reduction in both the PVDF/PEG crystallinity (Xc) and the β-phase fraction. The fine-tuning of nanoparticle content enhances the piezoelectric properties of the nanocomposite PVDF/PEG film. • Fabrication of hybrid nanocomposite films PVDF/PEG films incorporating ZnO BaTiO 3 . • Use of non-solvent induced phase separation method. • Use of different percentages of NPs and their effect on the film’s characteristics. • Optimizing Piezoelectric and UV sensing.