Electrical properties of 0–3 0.5(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3–0.5Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/PVDF nanocomposites

Abstract

Lead-free [Formula: see text](0.50(Ba[Formula: see text]Ca[Formula: see text]TiO3–0.50Ba(Zr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]-([Formula: see text]PVDF ceramic–polymer nanocomposites with [Formula: see text], 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 were prepared using melt-mixing technique. The distribution of nanoceramic filler particles (0.50(Ba[Formula: see text]Ca[Formula: see text]TiO3–0.50Ba(Zr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] in the PVDF matrix were examined using scanning electron microscope. Impedance analysis indicated the negative temperature coefficient of resistance character of all the test specimens. Filler concentration-dependent piezoelectric coefficient ([Formula: see text] data followed exponential growth types of variation. The data for ac conductivity were found to obey Jonscher’s power law. The correlated barrier hopping (CBH) model was found to explain the mechanism of charge transport occurring in the system. The low value of loss tangent ([Formula: see text]) along with the high value of [Formula: see text] foreshadowing the prospect of present nanocomposite is a better nonlead option for piezo-sensing/detection applications, especially in bio-medical area.