Fabrication of Flexible Piezoelectric PZT/Fabric Composite

Caifeng Chen,Chaoying Ni,Andong Wang,Daiwei Hong

doi:10.1155/2013/914380

Caifeng Chen, Chaoying Ni + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/914380

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Abstract

Flexible piezoelectric PZT/fabric composite material is pliable and tough in nature which is in a lack of traditional PZT patches. It has great application prospect in improving the sensitivity of sensor/actuator made by piezoelectric materials especially when they are used for curved surfaces or complicated conditions. In this paper, glass fiber cloth was adopted as carrier to grow PZT piezoelectric crystal particles by hydrothermal method, and the optimum conditions were studied. The results showed that the soft glass fiber cloth was an ideal kind of carrier. A large number of cubic-shaped PZT nanocrystallines grew firmly in the carrier with a dense and uniform distribution. The best hydrothermal condition was found to be pH 13, reaction time 24 h, and reaction temperature 200°C.

Highlights

Piezoelectric materials have the ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and have potential applications as smart materials for sensors or actuator devices which require high direction sensitivity in structural health monitoring
A variety of fabrics as carriers were tested in the paper, such as cotton cloth, cloth filter, ceramic fiber cloth, and nonwoven fabrics
Soft glass fiber cloth is an ideal kind of carrier, it can keep the original fiber structure and well elasticity, and the integrity of fiber can be maintained without any breakage in the environment of reaction kettle

Summary

Introduction

Piezoelectric materials have the ability to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy and have potential applications as smart materials for sensors or actuator devices which require high direction sensitivity in structural health monitoring. The monolithic PZT piezoelectric ceramic materials, including PZT patches or wafers, are always very brittle, and their fatigue resistance is poor, which makes them vulnerable to accidental breakage during handling and bonding procedures, as well as their extremely limited ability to be conformed to curved surfaces. It seriously affects the sensitivity of the sensor or actuator devices [1,2,3]. The growth of the PZT piezoelectric crystalline on fabric carrier and the optimum hydrothermal conditions were studied

Experimental Process

Results and Analysis

Conclusion