Directional properties of ordered 3-3 piezocomposites fabricated by sacrificial template

Fabrication of piezoelectric composites with 3-3 connectivity and their properties have attracted attention due to the application of these composites in acoustic transducers, medical imaging, and nondestructive testing. In this research, directional piezoelectric-polymer composites with 3-3 connectivity are prepared by a relatively simple fabrication process of dipping an ordered polymeric template (mesh) into lead zirconate titanate suspension followed by drying, pyrolysis, and sintering. The resulting porous ordered structures of lead zirconate titanate-5A ranging from 18 to 32 vol% ceramic were subjected to polymer injection to form composites to be cut and polarized in different directions. In the composites, the effects of (i) polarization direction and (ii) active piezoelectric phase content on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. The results showed that the dielectric constant and the piezoelectric properties are significantly dependent on the direction in composites of directional structure. In these composites, dielectric constant values were found to be higher in the direction parallel to ceramic ligaments. Moreover, the highest values for piezoelectric charge and voltage coefficient and figure of merit were found in the direction 45° to ceramic ligaments. In all composites, both dielectric constant and piezoelectric property values were proportional to the active piezoelectric phase content.