Characterisation of proton-irradiated 65PMN–35PT/P(VDF–TrFE) 0–3 composites

Lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate (PMN–PT with 35 mol% PT) single crystal powder has been incorporated into a polyvinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene (P(VDF–TrFE) 70:30 mol%) copolymer matrix to form 0–3 composites. After irradiation, the composite behaves as relaxor-ferroelectric material and this behavior is similar to that of irradiated P(VDF–TrFE) 70:30 polymer. Due to the irradiation, dielectric peaks broadened and moved towards to the lower temperature with high relative permittivity values in a broad temperature range. [Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3]0.65–[PbTiO3]0.35/P(VDF–TrFE) composite with 0.4 single crystal volume fraction with a dosage of 80 Mrad can reach a relative permittivity of 115 at room temperature (at 1 kHz). Polarization–electric field (P–E) loops of composites are strongly dependent on the single crystal powder volume fraction and the effect of irradiation is less apparent in composites with higher single crystal powder volume fraction.