Effect of volume fraction and molding temperature on the electric properties of PZT/PVC composites

In recent years, combining a ferroelectric ceramic and a polymer matrix to form a flexible composite with coupling properties in between that of two individual phases has been pursued for sensors in medical applications and hydrophones. For hydrophone applications, a useful piezoelectric material should have high piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g₃₃), piezoelectric strain coefficient (d₃₃) and high electromechanical coupling coefficient (K_p), low density and acoustic impendence (Z). The PZT/nanocrystalline PVC composites are prepared by hot-pressing technique. The microstructure of all composites was investigated by XRD and SEM. The effect of volume fraction and molding temperature on dielectric, piezoelectric properties and P-E hysteresis of PZT/PVC composites was investigated. The optimal electric properties have been obtained in 0.5PZT/0.5PVC composite at molding temperature being 150degC, showing epsiv_r = 47.66 , d₃₃=18.5 pC/N, g₃₃=43.91 mVmiddotmmiddotN^-1, K_p=0.220, d₃₃.g₃₃=0.81times10^-12 Pa^-1, Z=11.25times10⁶ kgmiddots^-1middotm^-2, and could be used for hydrophone materials in the future.