Obtaining and characterizing a three-phase composite of polyvinyl alcohol with PZT particles and carbon nanotubes for application as a sensor

• Grant number: 25/01348-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation
• Principal Investigator: Michael Jones da Silva
• Grantee: Marcio Valentim Gonzaga Bortolotto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia e Ciências (FEC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rosana. Rosana , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the electrical and piezoelectric properties of a composite PVA/PZT with 0-3 connectivity. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) will be used as the polymer matrix in conjunction with lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ferroelectric ceramic particles and conductive phase MWCNT. In order to produce the piezoelectric composite samples, the concentrations of PVA and MWCNT will be kept constant; however, the volume fractions of PZT will vary from 10 to 50%. Piezoelectric response will be evaluated based on the concentration of PZT and the dispersion of MWCNT. Thus, the piezoelectric coefficient d33 will be investigated in relation to the intensity of the electric field and its polarization time. In addition to evaluating the electrical properties in dc and ac regimes, it is also intended to evaluate the dielectric properties of the composites in order to investigate the relaxation processes caused by an external ac electric field. Using the analysis data, it will be possible to determine whether the composite has the potential to be used as a piezoelectric sensor.