Polyvinylpyrrolidone – KNNLST lead-free ceramic composites for dielectric applications

Abstract

Piezoelectric composites offer many advantages compared to piezoelectric ceramics or polymers because of their mechanical flexibility and relatively high stress-induced voltage. In this research, high-molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and lead-free piezoelectric (K0.45Na0.51Li0.04) (Nb0.85Ta0.1Sb0.05)O3 (KNNLST) ceramics have been used to produce composites. The possible range of composites from 0 to 100 wt% has been explored. The ceramics were produced using conventional processing methods, while the composites were solution-cast after being mixed with a magnetic stirrer. The composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dielectric and piezoelectric characterization to determine their properties. The morphology of the composites indicates the homogeneous distribution of the ceramics in the polymer. The XRD patterns show that the dissolved amorphous PVP precipitates and the addition of KNNLST ceramics contributes substantially to the crystalline phase formation. The relative permittivity and loss tangent values increase with an increase in ceramic content. Acceptable polarization and strain hysteresis curves were obtained only for the KNNLST ceramics. The composites produced will be suitable for dielectric applications.