Piezoelectric β-polymorph enhancement in graphene oxide -PLA nanocomposite films

Abstract

The flexible piezoelectric nanocomposite films have attracted considerable interest for use in autonomous nanosystems, sensors and portable electronics. The effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles on the crystal structure, unique crystallization, mechanical behavior and significant improvement in piezoelectricity of polylactic acid (PLA) has been reported. Polylactic acid / graphene oxide (PLA/GO) nanocomposite films were prepared by the solvent casting technique using different percentages of GO. The different samples were characterized by Polarized optical microscope (POM), Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction analysis. The presence of β phase in nanocomposites and the enhancement of their piezoelectric properties were confirmed by FTIR and XRD analysis. These electroactive and biodegradable polymer nanocomposite thin films may be a potential candidate for the piezoelectric nanogenerators, energy storage devices and energy harvesting applications.