High-performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator assisted by a three-phase PVDF/WS2/rGO nanocomposite

Abstract The emergence of piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENGs) presents a promising alternative to supply energy demands within the realms of portable and miniaturized devices. In this article, the role of 2D transition metal dichalcogenide tungsten sulfide (WS2) and conductive rGO sheets as filler materials inside the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix on piezoelectric performances has been investigated extensively. The strong electrostatic interaction between C–F and C–H monomer bonds of PVDF interacted with the large surface area of the WS2 nanosheets, increasing the electroactive polar phases and resulting in enhanced ferroelectricity in the PVDF/WS2 nanocomposite. Further, the inclusion of rGO sheets in the PVDF/WS2 composite allows mobile charge carriers to move freely through the conductive network provided by the rGO basal planes, which improves the internal polarization of the PVDF/WS2/rGO nanocomposites and increases the electrical performance of the PENGs. The PVDF/WS2/0.3rGO nanocomposite-based PENG exhibits maximum piezoresponses with ∼8.1 times enhancements in the output power density than the bare PVDF-based PENG. The mechanism behind the enhanced piezoresponses in the PVDF/WS2/rGO nanocomposites has been discussed.