Fabrication, characterization, properties and theoretical analysis of ceramic/PVDF composite flexible films with high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss

Calcium barium zirconate titanate (Ba0.95Ca0.05Zr0.15Ti0.85O3, BCZT) ceramic particles were prepared by a conventional solid-state method. BCZT powders were modified by dopamine through a chemical coating method. The composite flexible films based on dopamine@BCZT and polyvinylidene fluoride were fabricated via a solution casting method. The microstructure and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. A precision impedance analyzer and a dielectric withstand voltage test were used to test the dielectric constant, loss tangent, and breakdown strength. TEM results showed that dopamine was uniformly coated on the surface of BCZT particles with an average thickness of 20 nm. SEM results showed that the ceramic particles were dispersed homogeneously in the matrix. The dielectric constant increased with the increase of BCZT contents, while the loss tangent remained constant in the frequency range of 103 to 105 Hz. Different theoretical models were employed to predict the effective dielectric constants of the composite films, and the estimated results were compared with the experimental data. Weibull distribution was used to analyze the dielectric breakdown strength, and the results showed that the breakdown strength decreased then stayed over 60 kV mm−1.