Properties of Quasi 1-3 Piezoelectric PZT-epoxy Composites Obtained by Dielectrophoresis

• Published in: Integrated ferroelectrics Vol. 114; no. 1; pp. 108 - 118
• Main Authors: van den Ende, D. A., Bory, B. F., Groen, W. A., van der Zwaag, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis Group 01.01.2010; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Crystal structure; Dielectric properties; Dielectrophoresis; electric field structuring; Electric fields; Ferroelectrics; Lead zirconate titanates; Mathematical models; Microstructure; Particulate composites; Piezoelectric composites; Piezoelectricity; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Volume fraction
• ISSN: 1058-4587; 1607-8489
• DOI: 10.1080/10584587.2010.488525

The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of piezoelectric particle-epoxy polymer composites structured into 1-3 composites via dielectrophoresis during curing are reported. The dielectrophoretic alignment induces a textured microstructure in the composite, with particles forming chains in the direction of the electric field. The particles form a quasi-1-3 connectivity structure which influences the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the composite in this direction. The maximum g 33 of the Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 -epoxy system that was investigated was increased compared to the maximum g 33 for a 0-3 composite of the same system. Furthermore, these maximum values are achieved at a Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 volume fraction of 0.1, which is much lower than in conventional 0-3 composites. The effect of the amplitude of the applied electric field at high volume fractions of filler on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the composites is discussed. Additionally, the polarisation behavior of the composites at high electric fields is discussed. The experimental data are quantitatively described by a new microstructure-based model.