Dielectric properties of polymer/ferroelectric ceramic composites from 100 Hz to 10 GHz

Dielectric properties of model BaTiO3/polymer composites were measured over a broad frequency and temperature range. A series of BaTiO3/monomer suspensions were photocured into thin wafers. The wafers were equipped with aluminum electrodes, and the dielectric permittivity of the composites was investigated at frequencies from 100 Hz to 10 GHz and at temperatures from -140 to +150 degreesC. It has been found that for the same BaTiO3 loading dielectric characteristics of the composites strongly depend of the type of polymer. Polar polymers increase dielectric constant of the composites at low frequencies but have little effect at gigahertz frequencies. Dielectric losses of the composites show a maximum at some intermediate frequency within megahertz to gigahertz range that reflects the relaxation behavior of the polymer matrix. The magnitude of the losses increases with increasing polarity of the polymer component. At constant frequency and temperature, the composites follow a linear relationship between logarithm of their dielectric constant and volume fraction of the ferroelectric filler. Practical implications of such composites behavior are discussed.