Structure and electrical properties of PMNSZT/PVDF pyroelectric composites doped with BiCl3

Lead manganese niobate stibium zirconate titanate (PMNSZT) ceramic powder fabricated by the conventional method has been incorporated into a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) copolymer matrix to form the pyroelectric composites. Furthermore, the composites doped with BiCl3 were fabricated by solvent casting method, and their microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The dielectric, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric properties of the composites with different mass fractions of BiCl3 were studied. It was found that the electric properties were enhanced with the addition of BiCl3. In addition, when 2% BiCl3 was added, the composites exhibited the best electric properties, especially the pyroelectric properties that can satisfy the need for their applications in pyroelectric devices.