Dramatically improved piezoelectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites by incorporating aligned TiO2@MWCNTs

Composites comprising TiO2@MWCNTs (shell@core) nanoparticles and poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were prepared through a two-step method, including solution cast and mechanical rolling, inducing a highly oriented structure with both PVDF lamellar and TiO2@MWCNTs. A systematic study was performed to investigate the crystalline structure and piezoelectric properties of composites. The obtained results reveal that greatly enhanced breakdown strength and piezoelectric properties can be achieved in composites by the incorporation of highly aligned TiO2@MWCNTs. A maximum piezoelectric coefficient d33 of ∼41 pC/N can be achieved in composites at a loading level of 0.3wt.%, which is nearly double that of the pure PVDF.