Power generation characteristics of 0.50(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3–0.50Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/PVDF nanocomposites under impact loading

Abstract

Power generation characteristics of 0–3-type 0.50(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3–0.50Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3/PVDF nanocomposites, prepared using a melt-mixing process, under impact loading have been presented in this paper. A solid-state reaction process was utilized to prepare lead-free nanoceramic powder of 0.50(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3–0.50Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 (BCZT50) which was then milled by high-energy ball milling technique. The BCZT50 as filler distribution in the PVDF matrix was checked from scanning electron microscope and the formation of BCZT50 and BCZT50/PVDF nanocomposites were ascertained by X-ray diffraction method. The free dielectric constant ( $$\varepsilon_{33}^{T}$$ ), loss tangent (tanδ), piezoelectric coefficient (d33), piezoelectric voltage constant (g33), shore hardness (D), and figure of merit (FoM) were observed to increase while that of applied mechanical force (F3) decreases with the increase in filler concentration. Studies of voltage responses of all the BCZT50/PVDF nanocomposites due to impact loading using drop weight method have been carried out. A marked increment in the contact voltage due to different heights (applied mechanical energy) of impact was noticed as the concentration of filler particles was increased from 0 to 25% in the BCZT50/PVDF nanocomposites. The contact voltage and generated energy increase, respectively, from 5.37 to 11.62 V and 0.53 nJ to 6.8 nJ with the increase in BCZT50 content from 0 to 25% at a height of impact = 21 cm. In addition, the low value of tanδ (~ 10–2), high values of d33, g33, D and FoM along with better voltage responses (proportional to the applied mechanical energy) foreshadowing the prospect of BCZT50/PVDF nanocomposites a better non-lead option for structural health monitoring, piezo-sensing/detection, and/or energy harvesting applications.