Tuning the piezoelectric and magnetoelectric properties of PLA@PVDF-TrFE core-shell nanocomposite fibers for developing hybrid energy harvesting systems

With the increasing global focus on sustainable energy and green power solutions, especially those utilizing electromagnetic and mechanical energy, multifunctional materials with designed morphologies have gained considerable importance. This work presents the fabrication of versatile core-shell fibers with a core composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and a shell of polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE). The core-shell fiber structure incorporates varying concentrations of sodium niobate (NaNbO3) nanoparticles at 1, 2, and 4 wt% in the shell, and 3 wt% cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles in the core. The structural characteristics and morphology of the core-shell fibers have been thoroughly investigated using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. Further, to have an overall understanding of the characterisation of the material, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and magneto-electrical properties were systematically analyzed. The morphology of the PLA@PVDF-TrFE fibers with a core-shell structure is of much importance when it comes to enhancing multifunctional properties. These fibers developed through coaxial electrospinning showed remarkable energy conversion efficiency utilizing mechanical force and an external magnetic field. Therefore, this energy characteristic emphasizes the multifacility of these fibers and elevates the chances of being exploited in numerous fields and applications. It also underlines their potential to play a role in advancing sustainable technology.