Boosting Piezoelectricity by 3D Printing PVDF‐MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite as a Conformal and High‐Sensitivity Piezoelectric Sensor
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Abstract
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Additively manufactured flexible and high‐performance piezoelectric devices are highly desirable for sensing and energy harvesting of 3D conformal structures. Herein, the study reports a significantly enhanced piezoelectricity in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) achieved through the in situ dipole alignment of PVDF within PVDF‐2D molybdenum disulfide (2D MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>) composite by 3D printing. The shear stress‐induced dipole poling of PVDF and 2D MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> alignment are harnessed during 3D printing to boost piezoelectricity without requiring a post‐poling process. The results show a remarkable, more than the eight‐fold increment in the piezoelectric coefficient (<jats:italic>d</jats:italic><jats:sub>33</jats:sub>) for 3D printed PVDF‐8wt.% MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> composite over cast neat PVDF. The underlying mechanism of piezoelectric property enhancement is attributed to the increased volume fraction of <jats:italic>β</jats:italic> phase in PVDF, filler fraction, heterogeneous strain distribution around PVDF‐MoS<jats:sub>2</jats:sub> interfaces, and strain transfer to the nanofillers as confirmed by microstructural analysis and finite element simulation. These results provide a promising route to design and fabricate high‐performance 3D piezoelectric devices via 3D printing for next‐generation sensors and mechanical–electronic conformal devices.</jats:p>