Structural, dielectric and optical properties of [(BZT–BCT)-(epoxy-CCTO)] composites

The 0.2{0.5[Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3]−0.5[(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3]/[BZT–BCT]}–0.8{[(1−x)(Epoxy)−xCaCu3Ti4O12/(CCTO)]} (where, x=0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10 volume fractions) 0–3 composites were prepared by the hand lay-up technique. The structural and the optical properties of the composites were investigated with the help of XRD, SEM, FTIR and UV–visible spectroscopy techniques whereas the density of the composite samples was measured by Archimedes׳ principle. The dielectric properties of the composite samples were measured at room temperature. The intensity of the XRD peaks of the crystalline phase of the CCTO ceramics increased with the increase of CCTO filler content in the composites. SEM micrographs of the composites showed homogeneous dispersion of the ceramic particles in the polymer matrix. The experimental density of the composite samples was found to increase from 1.80 to 2.19 g/cm3 with the increase of volume fractions from x=0.02 to x=0.08 of the CCTO fillers in the composites. The observed FTIR spectra revealed absorption bands, the characteristics of the various structural units of the composites, and also confirmed a good interaction between the ceramics and the epoxy matrix. Band gap increased with the increase of the CCTO filler concentration in the composites.