Analysis of piezoelectric structures based on new modified PZT zirconate titanate designed for energy harvesting applications

In this paper we propose a piezoelectric ceramic material and its behaviour when integrated into piezoelectric structures. The piezoceramic element has the shape of a disk with diameter of 12 mm while the width is 0.3 mm. On each of the ceramic disk's sides, silver electrodes were attached. Perovskite ceramics based on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) modified with niobium (Nb) were used to obtain the active elements. A high temperature solid state reactions technique has been used to prepare the piezoelectric ceramic described by the general formula Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)0.99Nb0.01O3. Based on their piezoelectric characteristics, modified PZT zirconate titanate ceramics have efficient applications in energy harvesting devices. A simple structure is analyzed here by numerical simulation for the demonstration of its capacity to generate electric voltage under mechanical stress.