Pyroelectric conversion cycle of vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.335280· OSTI ID:5783892

Olsen, R B; Bruno, D A; Briscoe, J M; Jacobs, E W

Copolymers of vinylidene fluoride--trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE) exhibit large piezoelectric and pyroelectric effects. In addition to the most common application of the pyroelectric effect (radiant detection) it is possible to convert heat directly into electrical energy by pyroelectric conversion. This study reports the first pyroelectric conversion cycle to be measured for the copolymer P(VDF-TrFE). It is found that standard isothermal D-E hysteresis loop measurements are not necessarily accurate predictors of pyroelectric conversion performance for this material. Conduction effects are found to obscure the observation of conversion cycles in most cases for the presently available materials. In spite of these difficulties, a conversion cycle was measured whose output electric energy density was 30 mJ/cm/sup 3/. The output density is 15 times larger than any other polymer previously measured .

• Research Organization: Chronos Research Laboratories, Inc., 3025 Via de Caballo, Olivenhain, California 92024
• OSTI ID: 5783892
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 57:11; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
300800* -- Direct Energy Conversion-- Miscellaneous Converters
CONVERSION
COPOLYMERS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
ELECTRICITY
ENERGY CONVERSION
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYSTERESIS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PIEZOELECTRICITY
POLYETHYLENES
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
PYROELECTRIC EFFECT
RADICALS
VINYLIDENE RADICALS