Effects of Poling on Electrical Properties of Flexible Piezoelectric Composites with Natural Rubber Matrix

Abstract

This work was done to study effects of electrical applied voltage on electrical properties of flexible piezoelectric composites with natural rubber (NR) matrices. Different amounts of lead magnesium niobate titanate (PMNT) as a piezoelectric phase were added into NR matrices. NR/xPMNT (where x = 0, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 150 phr) composites were consequently obtained. The composites were poled under 25 kV/cm electric field for 30 mins. For all the samples, tetragonality is enhanced after poling. Dielectric and ferroelectric properties, and generated electrical voltage of unpoled and poled samples were measured. For the samples with x ≤ 80 phr, the properties are not improved with the poling process. However, for x > 80 phr samples, the properties are significantly enhanced after poling. A percent increase in generated electrical voltage after poling tends to increase with increasing PMNT concentration. The overall result suggests that the NR/100PMNT composite is suitable for applications as high mechanical damage resistance piezoelectric sensors and generators.