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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 February 2011
Ferroelectricity in well-poled polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a phenomenon which is now well supported. However, the piezo- and pyroelectric responses in this polymer are significantly weaker than those of ceramic oxides. It would be attractive to design composite materials which will have the mechanical properties of polymers with the electro-active properties of ceramics. Such materials will be useful for diverse sensor applications, viz, acoustic emission detection, hydrophones, biomedical applications, thin film capacitors etc. One of the chief requirements of a capacitor is that a large capacitance to volume ratio is desirable. A high ratio requires a thin film, a high dielectric constant and an acceptable electrical breakdown strength. Such a material may be designed by a judicious incorporation of fine grain ceramics in a suitable polymer matrix.