Open AccessHydrophone based on 3D printed polypropylene (PP) piezoelectret
Author(s) -
Palitó T.T.C.,
Assagra Y.A.O.,
Altafim R.A.P.,
Carmo J.P.,
Altafim R.A.C.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
electronics letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.375
H-Index - 146
ISSN - 1350-911X
DOI - 10.1049/el.2018.7287
Subject(s) - materials science , lead zirconate titanate , ultrasonic sensor , transducer , piezoelectricity , acoustics , polypropylene , hydrophone , 3d printed , ceramic , electrode , screen printing , optoelectronics , composite material , ferroelectricity , engineering , biomedical engineering , physics , chemistry , dielectric
Every year, different areas of knowledge are becoming more interested in 3D‐printing technology. Recently, this technology was also proved to be feasible for creating sensitive materials such as piezoelectrets. This Letter extends the concept of a 3D printed piezoelectret to produce a pressure sensitive film that can be employed as an ultrasonic transducer for underwater applications, such as hydrophones. In order to achieve this, a two‐layer polypropylene film was printed using a filament‐based 3D printer. Afterwards, adhesive electrodes were attached on both sides of the film and electrical charging was applied. Later, the 3D printed film was mounted in a metal housing specially designed to keep the film in direct contact with the water and to isolate the electronic amplification. The validation was performed using a piezoelectric ceramic made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), immersed in a water tank, to produce ultrasonic sweeps to be sensed by the 3D printed transducer. These tests revealed sensor sensitivities up to 600 mV and promote a precise detection of the acoustic resonance frequency of the PZT at 43.7 kHz.