Fabrication and characterization of 3D printed BaTiO₃/PVDF nanocomposites

This paper presents a fabrication process to enhance homogeneous dispersion of BaTiO 3 nanoparticles in polyvinylidene fluoride matrix nanocomposites using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing technique. The nanocomposites integrate the functional property (piezoelectric, pyroelectric, and dielectric) of BaTiO 3 with the flexibility and lightweight of polyvinylidene fluoride. Traditionally, the simple yet effective way to fabricate the nanocomposites includes solvent-casting, spin-coating, and hot-embossing. However, these methods have disadvantages such as heterogeneous dispersion of BaTiO 3 nanoparticles in polyvinylidene fluoride matrix due to the higher density of BaTiO 3 compared with polyvinylidene fluoride and agglomeration during fabrication process. This heterogeneous dispersion could weaken functional and mechanical properties. Herein, fused deposition modeling 3D printing technique was utilized for homogeneous dispersion to alleviate the agglomeration of BaTiO 3 in polyvinylidene fluoride through two processes: filament extrusion and 3D printing. In addition, thermal poling was applied to further enhance piezoelectric response of the BaTiO 3 /polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites. It is found that 3D printed BaTiO 3 /polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites exhibit three times higher piezoelectric response than solvent-casted nanocomposites.