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

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift, 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.