Effect of piezoelectric particles size distribution on electric properties of PZT/PVDF composites

Lead zirconate titanate particles with different particle size contributions were obtained by mixing with different size PZT powders，which were employed to prepare PZT/PVDF composites by filling PZT particles in PVDF matrix. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of composites were determined. The results show that the piezoelectric coefficient of composites with bimodal distribution can reach 75 pC·N^-1 as the PZT volume fraction is up to 70%. It can be explained that the piezoelectric composites with bimodal distribution exhibit a better continuous distribution because of the micro-particles filling up among larger particles. This provides more paths for mechanical-electric coupling. All these make the PZT/PVDF composite show a satisfying piezoelectric property.