ELECTRICAL-POWER GENERATION CHARACTERISTICS OF PZT PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMICS

The electrical power generation characteristics of Mn-doped PZT cerami cs responding to slow mechanical stress as well as to impact stress ha ve been investigated. Although both the slow and impact stresses induc e a reversible electrical response, the generation properties are dist inctly different. Slow stress releases two output current peaks with o pposite directions, responding to the increasing and decreasing part o f the stress, respectively. However, impact stress produces a nearly o ne-directional signal. The output charge and energy by slow stress are found to be two orders of magnitude higher than that produced by impa ct stress. This work shows that the energy conversion efficiency of pi ezoelectric ceramics strongly depends on the method of stress applicat ion.