Effect of Source Solution Components on Quality of Electrospun PVDF Nanofibers for Nanogenerator Application

High surface area flexible thin films of Polyvinylidene Difluoride (PVDF) nanofibers are vastly used because of low cost, simple, safety and environmentally friendly production methods. PVDF nanofibers are inherently piezoelectric when produced by high voltage electrospinning method. In this paper, PVDF nanofibers are synthesis in a electrospinning apparatus, using a solution that contains PVDF dissolved in two solvents, THF (Tetrahydroforan) and DMF (N,N-Di-Methyl Formamid), which DMF has a higher boiling point than THF. The effects of THF to DMF ratio in the solution, and also, PVDF concentration on the morphology and diameter of the synthesised nanofibers are studied. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis of the nanofiber thin films indicates that by adding THF in the source suspension, smoother and more uniform nanofibers with lower diameter are resulted. However, by further increasing THF ratio, the cone-jet mode is formed on the tip of the needle, rapidly dried, before reaching the collector substrate. Results of the further experiments indicate that decreasing of PVDF concentration in the deposition source solves the latter problem. On the other hand, by decreasing the THF ratio to DMF, the solution cannot completely be dried, before collecting by the substrate. The best and uniform nanofibers with the diameter of 200 to 300 nm are obtained from a ratio of 3:1 For THF:DMF and 10 % PVDF concentration. Fabricated nanogenerator, based on the best mentioned sample, shows an output power of 0.56 mW/m² when actuated by a vibration mechanical force with the frequency of 8 Hz.