Piezoelectric and mechanical properties of fatigue resistant, self-healing PZT–ionomer composites

Abstract

Piezoelectric ceramic–polymer composites with 0–3 connectivity were fabricated using lead zirconium titanate (PZT) powder dispersed in an ionomer (Zn ionomer) and its reference ethylene methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA) polymer matrix. The PZT–Zn ionomer and PZT–EMAA composites were prepared by melt extrusion followed by hot pressing. The effects of poling conditions such as temperature, time and electric field on the piezoelectric properties of the composites were investigated. The experimentally observed piezoelectric charge coefficient and dielectric constant of the composites were compared with theoretical models. The results show that PZT–Zn ionomer composites have better piezoelectric properties compared to PZT–EMAA composites. The static and fatigue properties of the composites were investigated. The PZT–Zn ionomer composites were found to have excellent fatigue resistance even at strain levels of 4%. Due to the self-healing capabilities of the ionomer matrix, the loss of piezoelectric properties after high strain tensile cyclic loading could be partially recovered by thermal healing.

Degradation of bimorph piezoelectric bending beams in energy harvesting applications

“…PZT-ionomer composites are addressed in [40]. One of the most important studies on degradation can be found in [41], where one of the conclusions is that cyclic mechanical stress can indeed be more detrimental than cyclic electrical loading.…”

On the use of non-MPB lead zirconium titanate (PZT) granules for piezoelectric ceramic–polymer sensorial composites

“…The composites were poled at 15 kV/mm at 80°C in silicon oil bath for 1 h. The oil bath containing the composites was then cooled down to 30°C while maintaining the poling field. The poling temperature was chosen close to the T g of the epoxy matrix as this temperature leads to a higher electrical conductivity [19][20][21]. The composites were stored at room temperature for at least 24 h before measuring the dielectric and piezoelectric properties.…”

Intrinsic Self-Healing Polymers Based on Supramolecular Interactions: State of the Art and Future Directions

“…They can also be located in the side chains or act as end groups [141]. The most common pendant ionic group for selfhealing applications is a carboxylate group neutralized with sodium or zinc ions [142][143][144][145]. Unsaturated monomers containing carboxylate groups can be polymerized via radical polymerization techniques.…”