Investigation on Large-area and Flexible PZT/PVB/additives Composite Films for New Piezoelectric Sensor Application

X. FANG, J. HE, Y. ZHANG

Abstract


In order to satisfy the requirement of the structural health monitoring (SHM) for the light sensor with high sensitivity, a novel large-area and flexible lead zirconate tiatnate (PZT)/polyvinyl-butyral (PVB)/additives composite film was fabricated by tape casting method. The microstructure, piezoelectric and diezoelectric properties of the PZT/PVB/additives composite films were investigated systematically. Thanks to the additives (dibutyl phthalate + castor oil), the flexibility and uniformity of PZT/PVB composite films are improved significantly compared with conventional PZT/PVB composite films. The surfaces of the PZT/PVB/additives film are smooth and more resistant to surface cracking. From the SEM micrographs, it can be observed that micro holes exist in the PZT/PVB composite films and agglomeration phenomenon is noticeable. On the contrary, PZT particles are well dispersed in PVB matrix and there is few obvious micro hole in the PZT/PVB/additives composite films. Furthermore, from the EDS results, it can be seen that PZT particles deposit in the bottom surface of the PZT/PVB film, however uniform deposition of PZT particles is achieved in the PZT/PVB/additives. In addition, due to the additives, the improvement of the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of PZT/PVB composite films is observed at a high volume fraction of PZT (φ (PZT) >60%). At φ (PZT) = 85% the largest piezoelectric constant (d ) reaches 44pC/N, which is much high than that of the reported PZT/PVDF films. Moreover, the dielectric constant (ε) of the PZT/PVB/additives film (at room temperature and a frequency of 1 kHz) is higher that of the PZT/PVB film with the same φ (PZT), and the dielectric losses (tan δ) is lower. Both the improved piezoelectric and diezoelectric properties are desirable for the new piezoelectric sensor application.

doi: 10.12783/SHM2015/273


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