Taguchi Optimized Next-Generation Electric Field Assisted Patterned Poly(vinylidene difluoride) Based Hybrid Nanogenerators and OmniGait-Sensor

Abstract

Taguchi design of experiments (DoE) was employed to optimize the near-field electric patterning (NFEP) process, enabling the fabrication of PVDF-based micropatterns for hybrid nanogenerator and OmniGait-sensor applications. The present study provides an improved method that overcomes the demerits of conventional electrospinning and advanced electric field-assisted fabrication techniques. NFEP-driven surface engineering enhances the β-phase fraction in patterned PVDF, enabling the fabrication of well-defined structures with versatile designs. By optimizing NFEP through Taguchi DoE and variance analysis, we achieved a robust process that drastically cuts time, energy, and resource consumption. Using NFEP, a diamond mesh PVDF and BTO nanocomposite pattern was created. These patterns were employed as a piezoelectric and tribopositive layer, with a PDMS tribonegative layer, to form a flexible hybrid piezo-tribo nanogenerator and sensor. By optimizing the processing parameters through Taguchi DoE, the present work establishes a direct correlation between process optimization and fabrication of patterned polymer nanocomposites, for nanogenerator and OmniGait sensors applications. This advancement improves versatility and opens new application horizons for nanogenerator and sensor technology