Modeling of poling , piezoelectric , and pyroelectric properties of ferroelectric 0 – 3 composites

A model for the piezoelectric and pyroelectric activities of 0–3 composites of ferroelectric particles in a linear matrix has been developed based on the polarization behavior of the inclusions. The model is applied to simulate the piezoelectric activity of a lead zirconate titanate/epoxy system polarized under different fields and the piezoand the pyroelectric properties of lead titanate/ polyvinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene 70/30 mol %# composites polarized with different poling times. The model predictions show reasonably good agreement with experimental data. The ability to predict the gross properties of 0–3 composites in terms of the poling field and poling time may be especially helpful in the making of practical composites with particular properties. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. @DOI: 10.1063/1.1596718#