Enhancement of piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of composite films using polymer electrolyte matrix

Abstract

Composite films consisting of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) inclusions dispersed in a matrix of polymer electrolyte the polyethylene oxide were fabricated. Their piezoelectric coefficients d33 and pyroelectric coefficients p are increased almost proportional to the volume fraction of the ferroelectric ceramic phase. For 34% PZT composite, d33 and p are 170 pCN and 120 μC m2 K, respectively, they are much larger than PZT/polyvinylidene fluoride- trifluoroethylene composite with similar ceramics content. It is believed that the enhancement of the measured coefficients is due to the relatively high electrical conductivity of polymer electrolyte matrix. This is confirmed by theoretical models which consider the conductivity of matrix. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.