Highly photoactive MOFs can be engineered via various strategies for the purpose of extended visible light absorption, more efficient generation, separation and transfer of charge carriers, as well as good recyclability.
Herein, we investigate the morphology, structure and piezoelectric performances of neat polyvinylidene fluoride hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP) and PVDF-HFP/Co-ZnO nanofibers, fabricated by electrospinning. An increase in the amount of crystalline β-phase of PVDF-HFP has been observed with the increase in Co-doped ZnO nanofiller concentration in the PVDF-HFP matrix. The dielectric constants of the neat PVDF-HFP and PVDF-HFP/2 wt.% Co-ZnO nanofibers are derived as 8 and 38 respectively. The flexible nanogenerator manipulated from the polymer nanocomposite (PVDF-HFP/Co-ZnO) exhibits an output voltage as high as 2.8 V compared with the neat PVDF-HFP sample (~120 mV). These results indicate that the investigated nanocomposite is appropriate for fabricating various flexible and wearable self-powered electrical devices and systems.