Error in mathematical modelling and enhancement of sensing performance of electrostrictive capacitive sensors

Abstract

Dielectric material sandwiched between two electrodes in an electrostrictive capacitor sensor plays a very important role in performance of the sensor. The dielectric material to be selected is required to possess good electromechanical properties like high strain, high permittivity etc. Researchers have simplified the standard equation for calculation of electrically induced strain in dielectric material of the sensor. This paper analyzes the effect of this simplification of equation on six different materials. In case of one simplified equation, error has been found in the range of underestimation from 96% to 3273% and in case of other equation, range of error is from underestimation of 36% to overestimation of 1842%. For enhancing properties like permittivity of the dielectric material used in the sensor, nano fillers are incorporated into the dielectric material. In this paper study has been done on two filler materials, TiO ₂ and ZnO and it is found that TiO ₂ filler increases permittivity more in comparison to ZnO for same level of concentration.