PZT / P(VDF-HFP) 0–3 composites: Preparation, electrical poling and piezoelectric properties

Piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites were intensively studied within the last decades. Often piezo- and pyroelectric polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its copolymer with trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)) were used as matrix in order to embed ferroelectric particles such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or barium titanate (BaTiO₃). Especially within the last decade, poly(vinylidene fluoride - hexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)), as another PVDF copolymer, was studied regarding its electro-active properties. However, the overall advantages of P(VDF-HFP) are a very good material availability, good processing possibilities of at least non-polar films and a relatively low elastic stiffness of about 0.5 GPa. Thus, the P(VDF-HFP) is a suitable candidate as matrix material for ceramic-polymer composites. Here, we describe the preparation, electrical poling and piezoelectric properties of different PZT/P(VDF-HFP) composites.