Pyroelectric properties of PZT/P(VDF-TrFE) 0-3 composites

0-3 composites of lead zirconate titanate particles dispersed in a polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer matrix may have a good potential for pyroelectric sensor applications. Thermal expansion mismatch together with the piezoelectric activity of the constituents produces a secondary pyroelectric effect in a composite. A model for this secondary effect in 0-3 composites has been developed to extend our previous description of the primary pyroelectric coefficient. The pyroelectric coefficient, dielectric constant, thermal expansion coefficient, shear modulus and bulk modulus of composite samples with different ceramic volume fraction have been investigated experimentally. The pyroelectric coefficient is compared with theoretical predictions.