Development and characterization of electroactive polymer films for the development of flexible acoustic sensors at Laboratoire GREMAN

Institution: Laboratoire GREMAN (UMR CNRS 7347)

Website: greman.univ-tours.fr

Country: France

Duration: 5-6 months

Contact information at the higher education institution: eleonore.meloni@univ-tours.fr

Description:

The project proposes to develop thick films (on the order of a few hundred µm) of the copolymer P(VDF-co-TrFE) from a spin-coating solution, exhibiting the characteristics of the morphotropic phase (MPB). The synthesis and deposition conditions of the films will be optimized to ensure improved piezoelectric performance.

The work aims to design and develop a piezoelectric film enabling the generation and propagation of surface waves, in order to design flexible, inexpensive, and easy-to-manufacture SAW sensors. During this internship, the main steps planned are:

• Preparation of a homogeneous solution of the P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer.
• Fabrication of thick polymer films by spin-coating.
• Structural characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD).
• Study of dielectric (dielectric constant and tanδ) and ferroelectric (polarization-electric field) properties.
• Measurement of the piezoelectric coefficient and electromechanical coupling factors.
• Implementation of the films in the design of SAW sensors.
• Electrical characterization of the sensors to validate the acoustic properties of the films.

Requirements:

This internship is aimed at a motivated and curious Master’s student (second year) or engineering student with a good background in materials science. Knowledge of acoustics would also be appreciated.

Language of communication: English

(Internship/Position ID: NSMT_FR0002)