Development of PVDF/AlN nanocomposites with enhanced thermal properties for piezoelectric applications

Abstract Polymer–ceramic piezoelectric composites offer a promising solution for applications requiring flexible, lightweight materials with enhanced electromechanical properties. By combining the flexibility of polymers with piezoelectric ceramics, these composites can exhibit superior dielectric and piezoelectric behavior, making them ideal for use in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting devices. In the present study, poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was reinforced with 2–10 wt.% of aluminum nitride (AlN) nanoparticles to enhance its thermal and piezoelectric properties, which is important for integration with microelectromechanical systems manufacturing and applications. X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of polar-phase PVDF, with improved crystallinity due to the nucleating effect of AlN nanoparticles. Dielectric measurements, performed across various frequencies and temperatures, showed that AlN improved the thermal stability of PVDF, making it more suitable for use in electronic films at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the poled nanocomposite with 10 wt.% of AlN showed a higher d 33 value of 16.3 pC N −1 , and maintained a higher piezoelectric performance, compared to pristine PVDF (6.5 pC N −1 ), under similar thermal conditions. Moreover, the fabricated PVDF/10AlN nanocomposite energy harvesting device displayed a higher peak-to-peak voltage of ∼26.6 V and a peak power density of 9.9 μ W cm −2 under an applied force. Consequently, the nanocomposite device maintained a stable piezoelectric performance at higher temperatures, demonstrating its potential for practical energy harvesting applications at elevated temperatures.