Actuator and generator based on moisture-responsive PEDOT: PSS/PVDF composite film

Energy conversion via utilizing small changes in the environment is emerging as an attractive way to mitigate energy crisis. Although some pioneering works have already shown the advantages of these energy conversion devices, challenges remain, including complex preparation process, excessive energy loss and difficult application of alternating current output. Here, we report a facile, cost-effective method for preparing a moisture-responsive composite film combined both PEDOT: PSS and piezoelectric polymer PVDF by means of spin coating and thermal evaporation. The composite film possesses good bidirectional bending performance, and the bending angles in both directions can reach 191° and 225° respectively. The generator based on this composite film is capable of producing a stable direct current voltage output up to 150 mV and charging the capacitor without any energy-consuming rectifier circuit. Our approach provides a new, simple, promising strategy for low-frequency small-signal energy collection and utilization.