4D Printing of Lead Zirconate Titanate Piezoelectric Composites Transducer Based on Direct Ink Writing

Abstract

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectric composites used in transducers were fabricated via direct ink writing (DIW) combined with furnace sintering and resin impregnation. A ceramic slurry with a volume fraction of 52 vol% and suitable viscoelasticity was prepared. After post-process, the PZT ceramic specimens showed a nanoscale grain size with a density of 7.63 g/cm3, accounting for 97.8% of the theoretical density. The effects of different printing rod spacing on the electrical properties of composites were evaluated and lucubrated. Finally, an underwater acoustic transducer was assembled by using the PZT piezoelectric composites fabricated by the above method. The electrical signal generated by the underwater acoustic transducer changed autonomously with the acoustic stimulation, which indicated the application mode of 4D printing in functional devices in the future.