Novel ceramic-polyamide nanocomposites approach to make flexible film of PZT ceramics: Structural and dielectric study

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn the present attempt, Lead zirconate titanate/polyamide Nylon-6 (PZT/N-6) nanocomposite films were successfully prepared using solution casting approach. The nanoscale PZT particles synthesized by sol-gel route were homogeneously dispersed in Nylon-6 matrix by ultrasonication. Formation of nanocomposite was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The structural study verifies the semi-crystalline nature of Nylon-6 and rhombohedral phase of PZT with formation of compositions as physical mixture having no interface interaction. Structural stability of the nanocomposite was investigated by Thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA) and Differential thermal analysis (DTA) up to about 340°C. The surface microstructure of nanocomposites film having 50:50 compositions of PZT and Nylon-6 shows uniform dispersion of PZT nanoparticles in Nylon-6 matrix with negligible pores. However higher % of PZT in composition exhibits agglomeration with significant number of pores; it causes reduction in dielectric constant and hence rise in dielectric loss. Room temperature (298 K) dielectric constant of PZT/N-6 nanocomposite films are smaller than pure PZT and found highly influenced by dispersion of PZT in N-6 matrix. For higher content of PZT in N-6 leads to lower dielectric constant and higher dielectric loss, while 50:50 PZT/N-6 nanocomposition gives highest dielectric constant and comparative lower loss. 50:50 PZT/N-6 nanocomposites film can be used in devices where flexibility of PZT is expected.