Micropatterned P(VDF-TrFE) Film Based Piezoelectric Nanogenerators for Highly Sensitive Self-Powered Pressure Sensing System

Here we demonstrate micro-patterned poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) films-based piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) with high power-generating performance for highly sensitive self-powered pressure sensors. The micro-patterened P(VDF-TrFE)-based PNGs revealed nearly five times larger power output compared to a typical flat film-based PNG. The micro patterning of P(VDF-TrFE) polymer made itself ultra-sensitive in response to mechanical deformation and stress. We successfully demonstrate their application as self-powered pressure sensors in which mechanical energy comes from water droplet and wind. The mechanism of the high performance is intensively discussed and illustrated in terms of strain developed in the flat and micro-patterned P(VDF-TrFE) films. The impact derived from the patterning on the output performance is studied in term of effective pressure using computational simulation, COMSOL.