Dielectric Properties of Polymer/Ceramic Composites

The search for new materials which are smart and functional has been the focus of material scientists around the globe. Piezoelectric and Pyroelectric materials are the front runner in this search as they have applications ranging from life saving medical applications to life threatening military applications to commercial applications making life comfortable. The 0-3 composites having passive i.e. non piezoelectric polymer matrix e.g. polyurethane and piezoelectric ceramic fillers e.g. PZT, BT have been widely studied. After which comes the composites having active matrix i.e. piezoelectric polymer such as PVDF or its copolymers as matrix and piezoelectric ceramic fillers. Very few studies are found of having other piezoelectric polymers, such as odd numbered Nylons as matrix material with inorganic piezoelectric fillers. This may be due to the fact that these other polymers such as Nylons have inferior Piezo-pyroelectric properties in comparison to PVDF and its copolymers. The present work is motivated by this rarity of research on composites comprising odd numbered Nylons as matrix material and discusses dielectric properties of these composites.