Enhanced dielectric properties of three-phase-percolative composites based on thermoplastic-ceramic matrix (BaTiO3 + PVDF) and ZnO radial nanostructures.

Three-phase-percolative composites with ZnO radial nanoclusters (R-ZnO) and BaTiO(3) (BT) nanoparticles embedded into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were prepared by using a simple blending and hot-molding technique. The BT + PVDF composite with a volume fraction of 30 vol % BT particles were employed as a thermoplastic-ceramic matrix. Compared with the two-phase-percolative composites of R-ZnO/PVDF, the three-phase-percolative (R-ZnO/(BT + PVDF)) composites showed enhanced dielectric constant and decreased dielectric loss. The percolation theory was used to explain the experimental results. The increased percolation threshold was studied in detail, and the thermal stability was also investigated.