Performance of unimorph cantilever generator using Cr/Nb doped Pb(Zr0.54Ti0.46)O-3 thick film for energy harvesting device applications

Abstract

Structural and piezoelectric properties of Pb(Zr0.54Ti0.46)O-3 + 0.2 wt% Cr2O3 + 1.0 wt% Nb2O5 (PZT-CN) thick films were investigated for potential use in energy harvesting device applications. The PZT-CN thick films, fabricated by a conventional tape casting process, were successfully synthesized at a sintering temperature of 1100 degrees C. The sintered film exhibited excellent piezoelectric properties of d(33) = 365 pC/N, epsilon(T)(33)/epsilon(0) = 1069, and k(p) = 0.52. Its d(33) . g(33), which can characterize this material as a energy density material for energy harvesting device applications, was excellent, being as large as approximately 14,072 x 10(-15) m(2)/N. It was also demonstrated that a unimorph cantilever using the PZT-CN film could generate a significant power of 17.3 mW (2083 mu W/cm(3)) for high performance energy harvesters. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.