Summary
Adding ceramic BaTiO3 nanoparticles to PVDF nanofibres is a common way to raise piezoelectric response, but measuring what the composite actually does at the level of a single fibre is another matter. This study maps the effective converse piezoelectric coefficient d33,eff on individual nanocomposite fibres using piezoresponse force microscopy in constant-excitation frequency-modulation mode, a variant specifically suited to compliant materials that would be distorted by conventional contact methods. Mapping single fibres rather than whole mats shows how the ceramic inclusions actually distribute their effect along the fibre.
Authors & Affiliations
Linari Electrospinning Systems
Linari electrospinning system with rotating collector
The nanocomposite fibres were spun on a Linari Engineering S.r.l. system (Pisa, Italy) with the collector placed 15 cm from the needle tip under positive potential - the arrangement of our complete stations, whose high voltage control unit is coded HVG-CONT-LCD.