The effect of calcining temperature on the properties of 0-3 piezoelectric composites of PZT and a liquid crystalline thermosetting polymer

We report on the optimisation of a recently developed high performance 0-3 piezoelectric composite comprising of the piezoelectric Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) powder and a liquid crystalline thermosetting matrix polymer (LCT). The matrix polymer is a liquid crystalline polymer comprising of an HBA-HNA backbone with phenylethynyl end-groups. The use of a high performance polymer makes the composite a possible candidate to be used in sensor applications at elevated temperatures. The composite properties were optimised by calcining the PZT powder at different temperatures, prior to mixing the powders into the LCT matrix. The aim is to study the effect of the calcining temperature on the piezoelectric properties of the composite The PZT powders were characterised by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric constant and piezoelectric charge constant (d ₃₃ ) of the composite samples was measured. It was found that a relationship exists between the calcining temperature of the PZT powder and the piezoelectric properties of the composites. A maximum voltage constant of g ₃₃  = 63 mVm/N was obtained for a composite containing 40% (by volume) of PZT powder calcined at 1150°C.