Electromechanical properties of PZT/P(VDF-TrFE) composite ink printed on a flexible organic substrate

The fabrication and electromechanical properties of composite inks consisting of 30-70 vol.% of piezoceramic PZT powder and piezoelectric co-polymer P(VDF-TrFE) are presented. Samples were stencil-printed on a commercial PET film and printable silver ink was used for the electrodes thus allowing a maximum process temperature of 130 degrees C. The relative permittivity at 1 kHz varied between 33 and 69 depending on poling and composite composition. The highest remanent polarization, up to 4.8 mu C/cm(2), with 34 MV/m electric field and piezoelectric coefficient d(31) up to 17 pm/V, was obtained with a 50 vol.% PZT loading level. The mechanical and electrical results indicate that the developed composite ink enables fully printable and flexible sensor applications with an increased level of integration. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.