The role of NaNbO₃ nanoparticles in enhancing the pyroelectric activity of Terpolymer-based composites

Thin films of ferroelectric PVDF based terpolymer matrix incorporated with a perovskite inclusion, NaNbO₃, were made with different weight fractions. The surface and structural properties of the thin film composites were characterized by scanning electron micrographs, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The polarisation-electric field characteristics and pyroelectric properties of the terpolymer composite thin films as a function of different temperatures were studied. The terpolymer composite film was found to have improved polarisation and pyro coefficient properties with perovskite inclusion. Hence, this investigation shows great promise for terpolymer based nanocomposites in ferroelectric temperature-based sensor applications. (author)