This work deals with the development of flexible piezoelectric nanocomposites based on PVDF-HFP copolymer reinforced with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical sensing applications. Two fabrication techniques are analyzed: solvent casting and electrospinning. The films obtained by the solvent casting technique, characterized by FTIR-ATR and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in PFM mode, show a significant increase of the piezoelectric coefficient (dāā) for ZnO NPs concentrations equal or higher than 12% by weight, with respect to the unreinforced polymeric matrix. FTIR analysis estimated an electroactive phase content close to 60% in the reinforced samples. On the other hand, the preliminary study of optimization of electrospinning parameters, evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), demonstrates the feasibility of forming mats with high fiber content and homogeneous nanofiber diameters between 110-140 nm, whose morphology depends on parameters such as the speed of the collector. These preliminary results are promising for obtaining flexible piezoelectric fabrics by both fabrication routes.
Abstract This work deals with the development of flexible piezoelectric nanocomposites based on PVDF-HFP copolymer reinforced with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) for biomedical sensing applications. [...]