Well-defined piezoelectrets fabricated with 3D printing technology

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a feasible solution for fast prototyping with precision in micrometer range. On the other hand, piezoelectrets are polymeric films with internal cavities, which has been electrically charged, resulting in a material with piezoelectric behavior. In the present paper, both, technology and concept were combined to produce structures with well-defined cavities and electromechanical properties. 3D printing can be performed in large range of materials, however for piezoelectret production the polymer must be electrically stable as in electrets. For this study, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) was chosen as the base structural material and different voided structures were prepared. Results from pressure dependence and temporal stability are here presented.