Combining a high piezoelectric performance and large anisotropy in lead-free 1-α-β composites containing auxetic polymer

Results of a comparative study on novel three-component [Formula: see text] composites based on advanced textured (Ba, Ca)(Zr, Ti)O 3 ceramic are analysed. Poled ceramic rods are surrounded by a matrix that contains auxetic polyethylene and its monolithic analog. Relative to the poling axis [Formula: see text] of each [Formula: see text] composite studied by us, its polymer components are either series-connected (1–2–2 connectivity) or parallel-connected (1–1–3 and 1–3–1 connectivities). An elastic anisotropy of the [Formula: see text] matrix influences the piezoelectric coefficients [Formula: see text] (or [Formula: see text]) and energy-harvesting figures of merit and contributes to their large anisotropy. An important role of the auxetic component and microgeometry of the [Formula: see text] matrix in achieving the piezoelectric coefficient [Formula: see text] = 0 is emphasised.