Study of PVDF composite electret for energy harvesting MEMS device

• Main Author: Lim, Jacob Song Kiat.
• Other Authors: Hu Xiao
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Materials; DRNTU::Engineering::Nanotechnology; DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Composite materials; DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Material testing and characterization
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/51986
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

PVDF films with various additives were fabricated by the spin coating and solution casting method. The additives include Cloisite 20A, acid-treated MWCNTS and carbon black. The films were subsequently characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). PVDF film samples with very high content of -phase was achieved with the use of additives. The samples were subjected to cyclic corona charging in order to investigate their suitability as electret materials. The B-phase content of the PVDF films has no appreciable influence upon the charge retention ability of the material. Neat PVDF however, has been demonstrated to be a feasible electret material for energy harvesting MEMS device applications.