Preparation and Property Enhancement of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) (PVDF)/Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) Composite Piezoelectric Films

Abstract

In this paper, two methods (magnetic stirring and mechanical ball milling) were used to modify the surface of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles. Then, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/PZT piezoelectric films were prepared by extrusion casting and solvent casting. We investigated the mechanical, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties, as well as the breakdown strength of the PVDF/PZT films. We found that adding PZT particles improved the mechanical stability of the films under variable temperature conditions. Modification by the UP-105 titanate coupling reagent further improved the combination and dispersion of PZT@105 particles in PVDF. The films prepared by extrusion casting showed improved properties in terms of density, dielectric constant, breakdown strength, and piezoelectric coefficient. The piezoelectric coefficient (d 33 ) of the PVDF/PZT@105 composite film (with 25 wt.% PZT@105) prepared by extrusion casting reached 35 pC/N, and the electromechanical strain ratio was almost 1.6%, which is higher than that of piezoelectric ceramics.

Fabrication and characterization of PZT/PVDF composite films for force sensor applications

“…The dielectric properties of PZT/PVDF composite films are influenced by several key factors. The composition ratio of PZT to PVDF, 59 particle and grain size, 36,60 film thickness 61 and processing parameters such as temperature and pressure 39,62 all play crucial roles in determining the composite's dielectric behavior. As the amount of PZT increases in the polymer matrix, the polarization of the composite also increases, resulting in higher dielectric constants.…”

Smart and Multifunctional Materials Based on Electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride): Recent Advances and Opportunities in Sensors, Actuators, Energy, Environmental, and Biomedical Applications

“…An increase in the mechanical strain with the electrical field intensity occurs, reaching 0.8 μm at an applied electric field of 200 kV·mm –1 . PZT/PVDF film reached a | d 33 | value of 35 pC·N –1 and an electromecanical actuation of 1.6% (higher than a piezoelectric ceramic) …”

“…PZT/PVDF film reached a |d 33 | value of 35 pC•N −1 and an electromecanical actuation of 1.6% (higher than a piezoelectric ceramic). 260 PVDF has been also combined with indium tin oxide (ITO) (ITO/PVDF) and with CNTs for self-sensing and microactuator applications in order to explore the induced displacement under applied voltage and varying frequency using a laser displacement sensor. The CNT/PVDF nanocomposites exhibited better performance as self-sensors and microactuators (∼0.1% under an applied voltage of 10 V at 0.5 Hz).…”

Coupling of Triboelectric and Piezoelectric Effects in Nafion-Containing Polyvinylidene Fluoride: Lead Zirconium Titanate Nanofiber-Based Nanogenerators for Self-Powered Systems

“…The poly­(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)-based polymer is most commonly used in flexible triboelectric and piezoelectric devices that exhibit outstanding energy-harvesting potential . PVDF (−CH 2 –CF 2 –) n is a semicrystalline material whose piezoelectric property depends upon the dipoles between the C–H and C–F bonds . Generally, PVDF can crystallize in two polymorphs, identified as α and β phases .…”