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

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(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 -0.30PbTiO 3 (PMN-PT) ceramics was investigated. Sm-doped PMN-PT ceramics with both high piezoelectric properties ( d 33 ∼1406 pC/N) and a large electromechanical coupling coefficient ( k p ∼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.