Investigation of energy harvesting performance of BCZT piezoelectric ceramics under low frequency

This study focuses on evaluating the output performance of Ba_0.85Ca_0.15Zr_0.1Ti_0.9O₃ (BCZT) piezoceramics, specifically for low-frequency energy harvesting applications. The BCZT ceramics are fabricated using the solid-state reactive sintering (SSRS) method combined with the cold isostatic pressing (CIP) technique. Characterization of the ceramic phase and microstructure is conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric properties (ε_r and tan δ), ferroelectric properties (P–E and S–E hysteresis loops) and piezoelectric properties (piezoelectric constant (d₃₃), piezoelectric voltage constant (g₃₃), figure of merit (FOM), mechanical quality factor (Q_m) and the electromechanical coupling factor (k_p)) of the BCZT ceramics are also investigated. The results indicate that the BCZT ceramics (with dimensions of 30 × 14 × 1 mm³) demonstrate the capability to generate a maximum power of 2.86, 6.45, 17.52 and 28.03 µW across a 1 MΩ resistor when subjected to compressive loads of 50, 100, 150 and 200 N at a frequency of 0.3 Hz. The energy harvesting performance of the BCZT ceramic suggests promising potential for practical energy harvesting applications.