Enhanced piezoelectric properties of Sm3+-modified PMN-PT ceramics and their application in energy harvesting

Abstract Piezoelectric materials are widely used in electromechanical energy conversion, such as in sensors, transducers, and self-powered materials. In this paper, the influence of the Sm doping content on the microstructure and ferroelectric, piezoelectric, dielectric, and field-induced strain properties of 0.70Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.30PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) ceramics was investigated. Sm-doped PMN-PT ceramics with both high piezoelectric properties (d33∼1406 pC/N) and a large electromechanical coupling coefficient (kp∼0.69) were synthesized. Based on their piezoelectric effect, a maximum output voltage of 31 V was achieved under external forces. The output voltages showed satisfactory stability, repeatability, and sensitivity under periodic external forces; hence, Sm-doped PMN-PT piezoelectric ceramics are potential candidates for energy conversion and signal monitoring.