Electrical power generation characteristics of PZT piezoelectric ceramics

The electrical power generation characteristics of Mn-doped PZT ceramics responding to slow mechanical stress as well as to impact stress have been investigated. Although both the slow and impact stresses induce a reversible electrical response, the generation properties are distinctly different. Slow stress releases two output current peaks with opposite directions, responding to the increasing and decreasing part of the stress, respectively. However, impact stress produces a nearly one-directional signal. The output charge and energy by slow stress are found to be two orders of magnitude higher than that produced by impact stress. This work shows that the energy conversion efficiency of piezoelectric ceramics strongly depends on the method of stress application.