Dielectric behavior of three-phase percolative Ni-BaTiO3/polyvinylidene fluoride composites

A three-phase percolative composite with a ferroelectric phase (BaTiO3) and metallic inclusions (Ni) embedded into polyvinylidene fluoride matrix was prepared by using a simple blending and hot-molding technique. Effective medium approximations and percolation theory were employed in order to design and describe the dielectric behavior of such three-phase composites. Our experimental results showed that the static dielectric constant of such a three-phase composite can reach above 800 when the Ni concentration is close to its percolation threshold. Such composites have a potential to become capacitors and can be easily fabricated into various shapes due to its flexibility. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.