Induction of electro-activity in polyvinyl alcohol with addition of nanocrystalline PZT ceramic

Flexible polymer-ceramic nanocomposites with electro-activity have been prepared by dispersing lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Thick films of the composites, with volume fractions of nano PZT ranging from 0 to 3 wt %, are cast for experimentation. Their structural, dielectric, thermal and pyroelectric properties are measured and compared with those of pure PVA. It is found that pyroelectricity can be induced into PVA with addition of nanocrystalline PZT ceramic, with pyroelectric coefficient increasing with the concentration of PZT. The Shore hardness of the samples has been measured by indentation technique, and is found to increase with PZT addition. The relevant pyroelectric figures of merit have been estimated, which also increase with PZT addition. Since the flexibility of the composite decreases with hardness, enhancement in pyroelectric figures of merit is at the expense of flexibility and formability. The results presented in this work offer possibility to design material with optimum property for applications requiring moldable pyroelectric detectors. (author)