A Miniaturized High-Sensitivity Hydroacoustic Transducers Based on P(VDF-TrFE) Piezoelectric Materials

Abstract

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) hydrophone emerges as a transformative candidate for future hydrophone designs for its exceptional sensitivity, good acoustic impedance matching with water, capability for large-area conformal arrays, lightweight structure, and cost-effectiveness. In this work, we present a planar hydrophone made from P(VDF-TrFE) piezoelectric material, including a six-element and 1-D flexible hydrophone array, and showcasing a leap in performance over traditional ceramic hydrophones. Furthermore, the device delivers remarkable acoustic wave reception across a frequency range of 10–40 kHz, and achieves a sensitivity response of approximately −179 dB fluctuating within 4 dB. This research presents novel concepts and methodologies for large-area, conformal underwater acoustic sensing, and significantly propels the development of high-performance flexible hydrophones, which also addresses the critical needs of underwater platforms, such as submarines, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and underwater robots, enhancing their capabilities for detection, perception, and communication.