Piezoelectric enhancement in P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer films by controlled crystallization

Abstract

The rapid advancement of wearable electronics and the Internet of Things necessitates the development of flexible sensors capable of accurately detecting physical and chemical signals. Piezoelectric polymers, specifically Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-trifluoroethylene [P(VDF-TrFE)] copolymers, are promising materials for these applications due to their flexibility and electroactive properties. However, their relatively low piezoelectric coefficients limit sensitivity. This study investigates the enhancement of piezoelectric performance in P(VDF-TrFE) films through controlled crystallization induced by polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) templates. The anisotropic crystallization behavior significantly improves the films’ crystallinity, ferroelectric properties, and piezoelectric coefficients, as confirmed by AFM, XRD, and nanoscale analyses. The templated films exhibit stronger piezoelectric responses, including improved d33 coefficients and directional piezoelectric anisotropy, enabling more sensitive mechanical excitation detection in flexible devices. These findings highlight templating-guided crystallization as a viable strategy for optimizing the performance of piezoelectric polymers in next-generation flexible sensors.