Synthesis and characterization of polarized novel 0–3 Terfenol-D/PVDF-TrFE composites

Abstract

Conductive metallic particulate inclusions in electroactive polymer matrix composites have been widely studied for enhanced sensitivity applicable to sensors, energy harvesters, electromechanical actuators, and high charge storage capacitors. If the metallic particulates exhibit magnetostrictive properties, the domain of applications expands due to the direct and converse coupling between electric displacement and magnetization. In this paper, the synthesis of a composite material consisting of giant magnetostrictive alloy particulates, Terfenol-D, embedded into an electroactive polymer matrix, PVDF-TrFE is discussed. The experimental protocol to elucidate the ferroelectric, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of the novel composite is also reported. It was observed that the ferroelectric polarization was improved with a small weight fraction of Terfenol-D particles, but it was hindered when more weight fraction of the particles was added. Nonetheless, the permittivity of the composite rapidly increased with the addition of more Terfenol-D particles, which was attributed to the reduction in the polarization of the PVDF-TrFE matrix. Finally, a notable phase delay was observed in the piezoelectric strain in response to a high-frequency electric field, such a delay was directly proportionally to the addition of Terfenol-D particles.