Integration and characterization of a ferroelectric polymer PVDF-TrFE into the grain boundary structure of ZnO via cold sintering

In this study, the Cold Sintering Process (CSP) is used to design ceramic-polymer composites with Polyvinylidene fluoride Trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE), a ferroelectric co-polymer, as an active intergranular grain boundary phase in semiconducting Zinc Oxide (ZnO) electroceramic matrix. The conductivity modeled Schottky thermionic emission and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling function of both temperature voltage. addition, through details dielectric characterization, interfaces are also considered effective permittivity resulting space charge relaxation PVDF-TrFE. Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars (MWS) model was predict ~ 3 nm thickness PVDF-TrFE controlling electrical properties composite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation confirms polymer thicknesses dimensions predicted from various electric measurements subsequent modeling.