Preparation, characterization and properties of novel 0–3 ferroelectric composites of Ba0.95Ca0.05Ti0.8Zr0.2O3–poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)

The present work describes the preparation and properties of a novel ceramic–polymer composites using Ba0.95Ca0.05Ti0.8Zr0.2O3 (BCTZ) as a ceramic filler and poly(vinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] as a polymer matrix. The BCTZ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction route whereas the BCZT–P(VDF-TrFE) composites with various BCTZ volume fractions were prepared by the combined method of solvent casting and hot pressing. The microstructure of the composites was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The dependences of the dielectric properties of the composites on BCTZ volume fraction was reported and analyzed in terms of the effective medium theory (EMT). The P–E hysteresis loops of the composites are strongly dependent on the ceramic volume fraction. The composites with higher ceramic volume fractions showed larger remanent polarization and smaller coercive field. The mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. Tensile strength showed enhancement at lower ceramic content and decreased with higher ceramic loading while Youngʹs modulus showed increase with respect to the ceramic loading.