Influence of Microstructure on the Dielectric and Piezoelectric Properties of Lead Zirconate‐Polymer Composites

Composites with 0–3 connectivity were fabricated from lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and phenolic resin powders. These composites were investigated for dielectric and piezoelectric properties with variations in active particle density and PZT‐polymer interface porosity. The dependence of dielectric and piezolectric properties on interface porosity is discussed, especially in terms of porosity factors. The dependence of the piezoelectric constant on interface porosity was greater than that of the dielectric constant. The interface pores play the role of a stress buffer. Thus local stress applied on PZT particles in the composites was remarkably diminished. When particle porosity was high, the dependence of the dielectric and piezoelectric constants on interface porosity decreased.