Pyroelectric and piezoelectric studies on BaTiO3: silica glass composites

BaTiO₃:silica-glass composites were prepared in different weight ratios and their dielectric constant was studied over a wide temperature and frequency range. The results indicated that with increasing amounts of silica the dielectric constant of the composite goes on decreasing, while their Curie temperature increases. Pyroelectric current and charge field hysteresis effects were also studied in these composites. It was observed that the pyroelectric coefficient decreases from 238 μC/m²K to 200 μC/m² K as the percentage of glass in the composite is increased. The piezocoefficient d₃₃ also shows a decrease with increasing glass percentage but the piezovoltage coefficient peaks at 1% glass content