Synthesis and Structural Properties of Flexible Ferroelectric Polymer–Ceramics Nanocomposite Films for Multifunctional Applications

Herein, we report the successful synthesis and structural properties of poly(vinylidenefluoride) [PVDF]–(Ba0.94Ca0.06)(Zr0.16Ti0.84)O3 [BCZT] and PVDF–BCZT at 10, 20, and 30 vol% polymer–ceramic nanocomposite films. Initially, BCZT nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using the solgel synthesis route. PVDF polymer powders were mixed with stoichiometric proportions of BCZT at 10, 20, and 30 vol% NPs and dissolved in 10 ml of dimethyl formamide (DMF). Phase pure BCZT NPs were dispersed in PVDF by sonication method. Both PVDF and PVDF–BCZT films were fabricated by the solution casting method, followed by hot pressing at 180 °C. The structural properties of as prepared BCZT NPs as well as PVDF, and PVDF–BCZT films were confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. These preliminary observations suggest that the polymer–ceramic nanocomposite films are suitable candidate materials for multifunctional applications.