The pursuit of energy harvesting arises from the imperative to diversify energy sources and

enhance sustainability in a world facing increasing energy demands and environmental concerns.
Energy harvesting offers a compelling solution by tapping into ambient energy sources that
would otherwise go untapped, such as vibrations, motion, and sunlight. By harnessing these
readily available sources, energy harvesting technologies can power a range of applications, from
wireless sensors to wearable electronics, without relying on traditional grid-based power sources
or disposable batteries. This not only reduces reliance on finite fossil fuels but also mitigates
environmental impacts associated with their extraction and consumption. Moreover, energy
harvesting fosters greater energy autonomy, particularly in remote or off-grid locations where
access to conventional power sources may be limited or costly. In essence, the need for energy
harvesting stems from the imperative to forge a more sustainable and resilient energy future, one
that leverages the abundance of ambient energy sources to power our increasingly interconnected
world.
In practical terms, energy harvesting encompasses a diverse array of technologies tailored to
harness specific energy sources and convert them into usable electrical power. Piezoelectric
materials like PVDF, for instance, capitalize on mechanical vibrations or pressure fluctuations to
generate electricity, while photovoltaic cells convert sunlight into electrical energy. Similarly,
thermoelectric generators exploit temperature differentials to produce power, and
electromagnetic generators capture energy from electromagnetic fields or motion-induced
magnetic flux. Each technology comes with its unique advantages and challenges, necessitating
tailored approaches to maximize efficiency and reliability in specific applications. As energy
harvesting continues to evolve, advancements in materials science, electronics, and system
integration promise to expand its reach and effectiveness, paving the way for a more sustainable
and energy-independent future.
humans already used technologies to generate energy in the form of wind and water mills,
geothermal and solar energy. Energy derived from natural sources, known as renewable energy,
has emerged as a future energy source due to limited fossil fuels and the instability of nuclear
power, such as the Fukusima nuclear crisis. Since renewable energy generation plants produce
kW or MW of power, it is referred to as macro energy generation technology. In contrast, micro
energy harvesting technology focuses on the alternatives to the conventional battery. Micro-
energy harvesting technology is based on mechanical vibrations, mechanical stress and strain,
thermal energy from furnaces, heaters and friction sources, sunlight or room light, the human
body, chemical or biological sources that can generate mW or µW of power. (Heung Soo Kim
et’al,2011).

Polyvinylidene fluoride-(CH2-CF2)n- has a set of valuable properties. a relatively high melting

point, high mechanical strength even at high temperatures, chemical and radiation resistance,
resistance to hydrolysis and ultraviolet radiation, good wear resis tance, physiological inertness,
very low thermal conductivity, and exceptional resistance to ignition. The-phase of PVDF has
ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties which is why it is especially interesting. Therefore,
PVDF is widely used in electronics, acoustics, radio engineering, medicine, pharmaceuticals,
production of components for the petrochemical, chemical, metallurgical, food, paper, textile and
nuclear industries, as a structural and packaging material, in the manufacture of solar cells and
piezoelectric elements. Scientific interest in PVDF is due to the possibility of synthesis on its
surface by carbonization of var ious forms of carbon: structures with sp2—and sp-hybridization
of valence electrons . Radiation carbonization will be also discussed in this review as it is
important aspect of PVDF processing. The surface of polymers such as PVDF can degrade under
electron bombardment or X-ray radiation and which leads to the decrease of the fluorine concen
tration. This process is known as radiative carbonization, and it is one of the possible methods
for obtaining carbine chains on the polymer surface of sufficient length . Fur thermore, radiation
carbonization can lead to the appearance of new properties (chemical and physical) in the
polymer which enhances its application potential. Additionally, the carbon–carbon which form
upon the removal of HF can connect with each other thereby forming chain-like structures such
as: polycumulenes (double carbon-carbon bonds) or polyene (alternating triple carbon-carbon
bonds). Carbon substances consisting of such one-dimensional structures are referred to as
carbinoids and can be used in optoelectronics or in the solid-state for emission electronics, not to
mention other chemical and physical applications. There is also a possibility that the carbonized
layer of PVDF will have superior conductivity compared to its polymer base . PVDFis a highly
reactive white crystalline thermoplastic fluoropolymer, unlike other f luoropolymers, it has a low
density of 1.78 g/cm3. PVDF exists in various conformational states, its macromolecules can
beinthestate: disordered amorphous and ordered crystalline. Being a semi-crystalline
thermoplastic, PVDF exhibits chemical, thermal and mechanical properties in a wide
temperature range. Molecular weight of PVDF is above 100,000 g/mol, melting point is of 171–
180 C, the crystallization temperature is of 141–151 C, and a glass transition temperature is of 40
C. It is soluble in dimethylsulfonic acid, dimethylac etamide, dimethylformamide and insoluble
in ketones and esters. It has high mechanical strength, wear and weather resistance, resistance to
ultraviolet and ionizing radiation, the action of mineral acids, with the exception of fuming
sulfuric, alkalis, halogens and hydrocarbons. It is easily dyed in bright colors [1–4].

To create electrical energy, a piezoelectrics must generate an electric charge and a voltage. Many
piezoelectrics developed for energy harvesting possess a specific polar axis, and the
effectiveness of energy harvesting depends on the applied strain (or stress) direction in respect to
this axis. In a poled ferroelectric ceramic (FC) or ferroelectric polymer, the polar axis is the
polarization direction. At the same time, for non-ferroelectric crystalline materials such as
aluminum nitride (AlN), gallium nitride (GaN), or zinc oxide (ZnO), it depends on the
orientation of the crystallographic axes. In this case, the polar axis is called the 3-direction. Due
to the symmetry, all directions in the perpendicular plane are the same and are called the 1-
direction. Strain (or stress) can be applied either along the polar axis or perpendicular to it. For
these two configurations, the terms 33-mode and 31-mode are usually used by describing
piezoelectric generators. Other configurations are also possible (for example, shear 15-mode); in
the case of the lower symmetry of materials, the situation is more complex. However, 33-mode
and 31-mode are applicable to most piezoelectric energy harvesters. The problem of estimation
of the effectiveness of piezoelectric material used and developed can be considered on the
example of works .We present methods for measuring the output characteristics (voltage and
power) of devices, as well as the parameters of piezomaterials with promise electrophysical and
mechanical properties. The effectiveness of a material for energy harvesting is directly
determined by its piezoelectric factors and electromechanical characteristics, but the applied load
also con tributes, determining the relationship between mechanical stress and piezoelectric
proper ties. However, the restrictions imposed on the strength (fatigue) and elasticity (restoration
of properties after repeated loading) of materials can become the dominant factors in energy
harvesting. Moreover, for efficiency of a piezogenerator (for example, a cantilever type), it is
required to move the piezoelectric layer away from the neutral axis. This is usually reached by
attaching a piezoelectric material to a non-piezoelectric elastic layer (unimorph struc ture) or by
coupling two piezoelectric layers, which are polarized in opposite directions (bimorph
structure) . Finally, the influence of the ferroelectric domain structure (regions with a uniform
direction of spontaneous polarization) and domain walls between these regions on energy
harvesting should be noted. The properties of domain walls differ from those of the single
domain material, causing a significant effect on energy harvesting. The domain walls can be
either neutral, with the polarization in adjacent domains parallel to the wall, or charged in all
opposite cases, with the nonzero surface bound charge. In insulating ferroelectrics, charged
domain walls demonstrate essential electric conductivity comparable with metals. (Ivan A.
Parinov et’al,2022).

The effectiveness of a material for energy harvesting is directly determined by its piezoelectric
factors and electromechanical characteristics, but the applied load also con tributes, determining
the relationship between mechanical stress and piezoelectric proper ties. However, the
restrictions imposed on the strength (fatigue) and elasticity (restoration of properties after
repeated loading) of materials can become the dominant factors in energy harvesting. Moreover,
for efficiency of a piezogenerator (for example, a cantilever type), it is required to move the
piezoelectric layer away from the neutral axis. This is usually reached by attaching a
piezoelectric material to a non-piezoelectric elastic layer (unimorph struc ture) or by coupling
two piezoelectric layers, which are polarized in opposite directions (bimorph structure).
(Bowen,C.R.; Kim, H.A.; Weaver, P.M.; Dunn, S. Piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials and
structures for energy harvesting applications. Energy Environ. Sci. 2014).