Performance evaluation of Ce3+ doped flexible PVDF fibers for efficient optical pressure sensors

•Centrifugally spun cerium doped nonwoven fibrous mat are explored as a non-contact optical pressure sensor.•The developed sensor depicted wide linear dynamic range and good pressure sensitivity.•The sensor properties are based on the spectral shift, broadening and intensity enhancement.•β-phase in doped fibers increases when compared to undoped PVDF.•Cerium nitrate doped fiber exhibits a high-pressure sensitivity (dλ/dP ≈ 0.28 nm/GPa) with no luminescence quenching.