Energy harvesting by piezoelectric macro fiber composite and PVDF piezoelectric film on flexible substrate in harsh environment

Journal article, 2026

This study compares the energy harvesting performance and durability of piezoelectric Macro Fiber Composites (MFC, PZT) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films integrated on the inner liner of a rotating automotive tire. Devices were evaluated under controlled conditions to evaluate open-circuit voltage, capacitor charging, and fatigue resistance. The MFC operating in d₃₃ mode produced up to ∼350 Vₚ₋ₚ, but its output decreased by ∼67% after two nights of high-speed cycling due to mechanical fatigue. In contrast, PVDF films generated open-circuit peak-to-peak voltages between ∼75 Vₚ₋ₚ and ∼280 Vₚ₋ₚ depending on thickness, with the 110 µm variant showing less than 7% performance loss after equivalent testing. This film also charged a 5.5 µF capacitor to ∼110 V (≈33 mJ), demonstrating efficient and stable energy conversion. These results show that while MFCs offer higher instantaneous output, PVDF provides superior long-term reliability and integration robustness, making it a strong candidate for self-powered Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) and other embedded sensor platforms operating in harsh, dynamic environments.