Effect of Nano Sized Reinforcement in PZT Based Composites

Abstract

PZT-PVdF composites with 0–3 connectivity were prepared through solution casting technique. The effect of particle size (>106 μm, 106–63 μm, >63–25 μm, 80 nm, 60 nm and 40 nm) on piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) of the composites was studied. The amount of crystallinity and piezoelectric coefficient of the composites were obtained from DSC and piezometer, respectively. The PZT particles distribution in the polymer matrix was analyzed using SEM studies. The amount of crystallinity was found to decrease with decrease in particle size, which in turn decreases the piezoelectric coefficient. The investigation reveals that the dispersed reinforcement influences the crystallization kinetics of PVdF polymer chain, thereby promoting localized amorphous regions, which decreases the piezoelectric coefficient.

Keywords:

• PZT
• PVdF
• crystallinity
• particle size
• piezoelectric coefficient

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Management and Principal, PSG College of Technology, for their support and encouragement. The financial assistance provided by ISRO for the project is gratefully acknowledged.