Molybdenum sulphide incorporated flexible poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposites for energy harvesting and water remediation by dye degradation via piezocatalysis

Molybdenum sulphide (MoS2) was incorporated into poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF) matrix via melt-mixing followed by solution casting, to prepare PVDF/MoS2 nanocomposite films with varying MoS2 concentration. Piezoelectric properties of PVDF/MoS2 nanocomposites were significantly boosted by incorporation of MoS2 in PVDF by aiding in the formation of polar phase in the PVDF/MoS2 nanocomposites. Formation of electroactive phases in PVDF/MoS2 nanocomposites was analyzed through Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopic analyses, which also highlighted the interactions between MoS2 and PVDF dipoles. A remarkable polar phase content of similar to 97% was achieved in the PVDF/3 MoS2 nanocomposite (containing 3 wt% MoS2). Dielectric and ferroelectric investigations further supported the enhancement of interfacial polarization in PVDF/MoS2 nanocomposite films. Piezoelectric response of the fabricated devices was subsequently assessed, demonstrating an output voltage of similar to 96 V generated through human-hand actuation on the PVDF/3 MoS2 nanocomposite film. Additionally, the fabricated device exhibited a substantial volumetric power density of similar to 150 mu W/cm(2) and a current density of similar to 7.2 mu A/cm(2). Notably, the optimized PVDF/MoS2 nanocomposite film exhibited significant degradation efficiencies of similar to 69.7% and similar to 67.4% in case of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B dye, respectively. The successful fabrication of a piezocatalytic PVDF/MoS2 nanocomposite film provided valuable insights into the piezoelectric response for the degradation of various dyes.