Significant magnetoelectric coupling in P(VDF-TrFE)/48%NiFe bilayer laminate composite for energy harvesting applications

A thick film of P(VDF-TrEE) piezoelectric polymer and a 48%nickel-iron (48%NiFe) alloy is employed to form a magnetoelectric (ME) layered composite to attain a ME coupling coefficient (alpha(ME)) as high as 1002 mV cm(-1) Oe(-1). Theoretical analysis indicates a significant strain transfer of close to 79%. Compared with P(VDF-TrEE)/nickel bilayer laminate composite, 48%NiFe alloy shows an enhancement of alpha(ME) by 53% due to the high piezomagnetic coefficient. Additionally, finite element methodology simulation using COMSOL (R) Multiphysics is used to corroborate the experimental results and theoretical estimates. The energy harvesting application is demonstrated by measuring the voltage from the laminate composite atop a small cooling fan, which produces a peak-to-peak ac voltage of 0.868 V. Comparative analysis with P(VDF-TrEE)/nickel bilayer laminate this value is 54% higher proving that the developed laminate composite is an efficient ME based energy harvester.