Piezoelectric composites play an important role in the field of sensors. However, composites with randomly dispersed fillers are not efficient, especially when compared to electroactive polymers. Via dielectrophoresis technique we developed composites with fillers, spherical and fiber-shaped, arranged in columnar structures through the thickness of the material. The chosen matrix is thermosetting polydimethylsiloxane, known for its flexibility and biocompatibility, while the fillers are NaNbO3 and BaTiO3. The designed sensors are extremely efficient and comparable to electroactive polymers, and are suitable to be integrated in medical devices, such as smart catheters and bio-scaffolds.
|