Precise analysis of compressive strain effects on electric power generation properties of a lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramic

Mitsuhiro Okayasu,Keisuke Watanabe

doi:10.1007/s40145-015-0169-6

Abstract

Electric power generation characteristics of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) piezoelectric ceramic have been examined during cyclic loading with different compressive strain value. A thin PZT ceramic plate attached to a thin brass plate was used. With an increasing compressive strain value in the PZT ceramic plate, the electric voltage increased, and the highest electric voltage was obtained for the sample with the high strain level (0.4%). The electric voltage decreased for the sample with more than 0.45% strain because of the failure in the PZT ceramic. The electric voltage was different depending on the strain condition, where the higher strain and the wider strain range (Δe) made the high electric voltage. Moreover, the electric voltage was attributed to the strain rate, where the higher strain rate made higher electric voltage due to high kinetic energy. The electric generation characteristics could be estimated with an operation of the strain value and strain ratio (emin/emax) especially for the sample loaded cyclically under the slow loading speed. This was affected by the linear correlation between the electric voltage and the strain value. Based upon the experimental work, suitable loading condition to make high electric voltage could be proposed.

Highlights

For environmental issues, development of clean energy system is required in our society
Several investigators have examined electric power generation characteristics using piezoelectric ceramics, there appears to be little data concerning the effects of strain condition on the electric power generation
The electric power generation characteristics from PZT ceramic were investigated under different strain conditions, e.g., different strain value ( = 0.1%–1.1%), strain range ( = 0–0.4%), strain ratio (SR = min / max = 0–0.63), and load waveform

Summary

Introduction

Development of clean energy system is required in our society. Piezoelectric energy harvesters have been produced as vibrating devices, which convert mechanical strain energy into electricity [1]. Using a number of PZT ceramic plates set in parallel under a floor in stadiums and train stations, energy harvesting devices have been proposed. The influence of the vibrating condition on the electric power generation characteristics has been investigated experimentally using commercial PZT ceramic plates, where cyclic loading, loading frequency, and strain value were altered [8,9]. Several investigators have examined electric power generation characteristics using piezoelectric ceramics, there appears to be little data concerning the effects of strain condition on the electric power generation. In the present work, the effects of the strain condition on the electric power generation characteristics were examined using the PZT ceramic and our original testing systems

Experimental procedures

Results and discussion

Conclusions