Piezo-electrets from polypropylene composites doped with mineral fillers

Abstract

Abstract PP-based composites with two mineral fillers (perlite or glass beads) were manufactured by extrusion, and then subjected to orientation in a ratio of 3:1. Electrets were obtained in the polarization process under the influence of a constant electric field. Sample morphology was tested by SEM whereas the crystallinity was determined by XRD. Mechanical strength and thermal stability of composites was studied by tensile tests and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The piezoelectric characteristics were appointed by measurement of the electrical charge and current voltage in the polarized samples. The dependence of thermally stimulated depolarized current (TSDC) on temperature was also investigated. The piezoelectric coefficient (d 33 ), the electret stability over time as well as activation energy of depolarization process have been determined. It was found that low filler content (i.e. 2.5 and 5 wt.% of glass beads and perlite, respectively) significantly improve piezoelectric properties of isotactic polypropylene (i-PP).