SMART MATERIALS

B.Tech (Semester I) PH 10003

Course instructor- Dr. Soumen Dhara (PhD IIT Guwahati)

Unit II: Piezoelectric Materials

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 What is Piezoelectric Materials?

Piezoelectric Materials: Piezoelectric materials or piezoelectrics are the

materials that can produce electric energy upon application of mechanical stress.

A commonly known piezoelectric material is quartz. The mechanism involves

development of electric charge due to movement of electron upon application of
stress.

Piezo means pressure, So it is a pressure electricity.

It is the oldest smart material.

 Piezoelectricity
Direct Piezoelectric Effect (1880)

Reverse Piezoelectric Effect (1881)

Pierre Curie (1859-1906),

Nobel Prize in Physics, 1903

Gabriel Lippmann (1845-1921),
Discovered in Rochelle salt
Nobel Prize in Physics, 1908
 Piezoelectricity- Timeline
• The effect observed by Pierre Curie and Jacque Curie is called as Direct
Piezoelectric Effect (1881)

• The direct effect was found in Zinc Blende, Boracite, Tourmaline, Quartz, Cane
Sugar and Rochelle Salt

• The reverse effect was theoretically predicted by Lippman (1881) and

experimentally confirmed by Voight in 1894

• First application – Langvein (1917) in Sonar Transducer ( composite made of

steel plate & quartz)

• – later Ceramic Phonograph, Ceramic Electret Microphone, Piezo based gas

lighter to ignite the gas.
 Piezoelectricity in Perovskites
Piezoelectricity in Perovskite materials reported during 1949-60

What is Perovskite?
Perovskite: A Ternary (3 Component structure) Formula- A2+B4+X2-3
Example: CaTiO3

 The mineral was discovered in the Ural Mountains of

Russia by Gustav Rose in 1839 and is named after
Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski (1792–1856).
 Perovskite's notable crystal structure was first described
by Victor Goldschmidt in 1926.
 The crystal structure was later published in 1945 from X-
ray diffraction data on Barium Titanate by Helen Dick
Megaw.
 Piezoelectricity in Perovskites
Example: BaTiO3 a common piezoelectric material
Magnitude of the piezoelectricity is much higher than the conventional materials
discovered earlier, i.e Turmaline / Rochelle Salt

Tetragonal Symmetry with non- zero

Dipole moment below curie temperature
Or Orthorhombic Symmetry

Similar material: PZT (Lead Zirconate Titanate), LiNb family PbNb family YMn family ,
LiNb family, PbNb family, YMn family.
 Piezoelectricity and Crystal Symmetry

Piezoelectricity is related to crystal symmetry

Cubic structure: Hexagonal structure : PZT is symmetric above Curie tempt. but it is
centrosymmetric non-centrosymmetric non-centrosymmetric below Curie tempt.
 Polarization in Dielectrics

The electric field E and the polarization P are connected in a dielectric medium by,

P = D - ε0εrE

P is the number of electric dipoles aligned per unit

volume (Cm-2)
D is electric displacement (cm-2)
E is electric field (Vm-1)
ε0 is electrical permittivity of free space(C2 N-1 m-2)
εr is relative permittivity
 Polarization of Piezoelectric Material
 When mechanical stress is applied, the structure is distorted
 This distortion in the unit cell develops an asymmetric distribution of charges, so that an
electric dipole is formed across the two faces & the unit cell becomes polarized

::: The induced dipole moment per unit volume is called the polarization.

Electric dipole moments in Weiss domains.

(a) before polarization; (b) during polarization; (c) after polarization
(random orientation of polar domains) (field removed)
 Piezoelectricity and Crystal Symmetry
32 classes
Crystal Symmetry
Point Groups

21 Classes 11 Classes
Non-centrosymmetric Centrosymmetric
Groups Groups

1 Class 10 Classes
Nonpolar Piezoelectric polarization
(Polar)
10 Classes
Crystal= Lattice + Basis Spontaneous polarization 20 exhibit piezoelectric property
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 Piezoelectricity and Crystal Symmetry
 Piezoelectric Polarization
Unit cell is originally distorted even at zero strain (not symmetric about the
centre)

 Spontaneous Polarization
Unit cell is intrinsically polarized due to a non-vanishing electric dipole moment
associated with the unit cell, which is known as spontaneous polarization

Example: SiO2 is a piezoelectric but non-polar material. ZnO is a polar, thus

pyroelectric and piezoelectric material, but is not ferroelectric
 Direct Piezoelectric effect
Mechanical Stress
The Generator action

Voltage developed
Compressive stress along the polarization (poling) Tensile stress along the polarization direction
direction generates a voltage of the same polarity generates a voltage of opposite polarity

Compressive stress perpendicular to the polarization

direction generates a voltage of opposite polarity Tensile stress perpendicular to the polarization
direction generates a voltage of same polarity
 Reverse Piezoelectric effect

Voltage applied The Motor action Change in dimension

(expansion or contraction)

Voltage of same polarity as the polarisation causes an

expansion along the polarisation (poling) direction and
contraction perpendicular to it.

Voltage of opposite polarity as the polarisation

causes an contraction along the polarisation
direction and expansion
perpendicular to it.
Example- Quartz
 Piezoelectric effect-output

the open-circuit voltage V is proportional to

compressive stress. Output of a 20 mm long piezoelectric
ceramic cylinder as a function of external
pressure .
 Piezoelectric coefficients
• Because a piezoelectric ceramic is anisotropic, physical constants
relate to both the direction of the applied mechanical or electric
force and the directions perpendicular to the applied force.
• The piezoelectric coefficients are defined with double subscripts,
with the first subscript indicating the direction of the electric field
associated with the applied voltage/produced charge and the
second subscript indicating the direction of the mechanical
stress/strain.
• The direction of positive polarization usually is made to coincide
with the Z-axis of a rectangular system of X, Y, and Z axes.
• Direction X, Y, or Z is represented by the subscript 1, 2, or 3,
respectively, and shear about one of these axes is represented by
the subscript 4, 5, or 6, respectively.
 Piezoelectric Charge Constant
The piezoelectric charge constant, d, is the polarization generated per unit of
mechanical stress (X) applied to a piezoelectric material or, alternatively, is the
mechanical strain (x) experienced by a piezoelectric material per unit of electric field
applied.

The induced electrical polarization

 Piezoelectric Charge Constant
The piezoelectric charge constant, di,j, is the polarization generated per unit of
mechanical stress (X) applied to a piezoelectric material or, alternatively, is the
mechanical strain (x) experienced by a piezoelectric material per unit of electric field
applied.

Unit- pm/V, or
The induced electrical polarization
Coulomb/Newton

d33 induced polarization in direction 3 (parallel to direction in which ceramic element is polarized) per unit stress applied in direction 3
or
induced strain in direction 3 per unit electric field applied in direction 3

d31 induced polarization in direction 3 (parallel to direction in which ceramic element is polarized) per unit stress applied in direction 1
(perpendicular to direction in which ceramic element is polarized)
or
induced strain in direction 1 per unit electric field applied in direction 3

d15 induced polarization in direction 1 (perpendicular to direction in which ceramic element is polarized) per unit shear stress applied
about direction 2 (direction 2 perpendicular to direction in which ceramic element is polarized)
or
induced shear strain about direction 2 per unit electric field applied in direction 1
 Piezoelectric coefficients
 The equation that describes the deformation of a crystal subjected to an
electric field
xi  d mi E m where m = 1,2,3
and i = 1,2,3,4,5,6

x ij -components of the elestic strain

dmij -piezoelectric coefficients

Em -components of external electric field

 Piezoelectric voltage coefficients
 Component of electric field arises from external stress Xj is connected by
another piezoelectric coefficient, piezoelectric voltage coefficients

Where i= 1,2,3 Unit- V.m/Newton

and j = 1,2,3,4,5,6

Piezoelectric Voltage coefficients

The piezoelectric voltage constant, g, is the electric field generated by a piezoelectric material per
unit of mechanical stress applied or, alternatively, is the mechanical strain experienced by a
piezoelectric material per unit of electric displacement applied.

The first subscript to g indicates the direction of the electric field generated in the material, or the
direction of the applied electric displacement. The second subscript is the direction of the applied
stress or the induced strain, respectively.
 Piezoelectric voltage coefficients
g33 induced electric field in direction 3 (parallel to direction in which ceramic element is
polarized) per unit stress applied in direction 3
or
induced strain in direction 3 per unit electric displacement applied in direction 3
g31 induced electric field in direction 3 (parallel to direction in which ceramic element is
polarized) per unit stress applied in direction 1 (perpendicular to direction in which ceramic
element is polarized)
or
induced strain in direction 1 per unit electric displacement applied in direction 3
g15 induced electric field in direction 1 (perpendicular to direction in which ceramic element is
polarized) per unit shear stress applied about direction 2 (direction 2 perpendicular to
direction in which ceramic element is polarized)
or
induced shear strain about direction 2 per unit electric displacement applied in direction 1
 Relation between Piezoelectric coefficients
 The piezoelectric charge coefficients and piezoelectric voltage coefficients are
related by following equation

ε0 is electrical permittivity of free space(C2 N-1 m-2)

εii is relative permittivity of the piezo material

Considering V output voltage for a force of F applied to the cube of area A and length L, then
C is the capacitance

Observations:
(a) voltage V which depends on length l and cross section A
Total charge generated of the cylinder;
(b) charge which is completely independent of the cylinder
dimensions;
 Numerical problems

Q1. For a piezoelectric cube of side 5 mm experiencing a compressive force

of 5N in the Z axis. Find VX, VY, and VZ. Use gzz=3, gYz=0.12, gXz=0.05 m2/C,
and all other coefficients are zero.

Q2. For a 10 mm cylinder with non zero piezoelectric constants are d33=2,
d13=0.15, and d23= 0.11 C/N. How much charge it can generates at an external
force of 3 N in the Z direction.

Q3. A 10 mm cylinder with piezoelectric constants are d33=20, d13=3.5, pm/V

connected to a voltage source of 4V in the z-direction. Calculate the change in
length of the cylinder in the Z direction.
 Examples of Piezoelectric materials
Many materials, both natural and synthetic, exhibit piezoelectricity:
Some naturally occurring crystals

1. Quartz
2. Sucrose (Table Sugar)
3. Tourmaline-group minerals
4. Rochelle salt
5. Berlinite (AlPO4), a rare phosphate mineral that is structurally identical to
quartz
6. Topaz
7. Lead Titanate (PbTiO2), Although it occurs in nature as mineral macedonite, it
is synthesized for research and applications
 Piezoelectricity
Other natural materials
Biological materials exhibiting piezoelectric properties include:

1. Tendon
2. Silk
3. Wood (due to piezoelectric texture)
4. Enamel
5. Dentin
6. Dry bone
7. Viral Proteins
8. Hair

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 Synthetic Piezoelectric materials

1. Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT)

2. Zinc Oxide (ZnO)
3. Barium Titanate (BaTiO3)
4. Calcium Barium Titanate
5. Gallium Orthophosphate (GaPO4)
6. Potassium Niobate (KNbO3)
7. Lead Titanate (PbTiO3)
8. Litium Titalate (LiTaO3)
9. Langasite (La3Ga5SiO14)
10. Sodium Tungatate (Na2WO3)
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 Piezoelectric materials classification

Piezoelectric materials can be classified into the following categories:

(1) single crystalline material (such as quartz)

(2) piezoceramics (such as lead zirconate titanate, PZTs)
(3) piezoelectric semiconductors (such as ZnO2, AlN, GaN, InN)
(4) polymer (such as polyvinylidene fluoride, PVDF)
(5) glass ceramics (such as Li2Si2O5 and Ba2TiSiO6).
(6) fiber composite or PZT composite (PZT fibers mixed with resin).
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 Hard and soft piezoelectric materials

Piezoelectric materials may be hard or soft, depending on the mobility of

the charged or magnetized dipoles in the material. This directly affects
polarization and depolarization.

PZT materials that are ferroelectrically hard can be subjected to very high
mechanical and electrical stresses without affecting noticeable changes to
their properties. They also have substantial advantages, including good
stability, operating field strength, and high mechanical qualities.

Soft materials are fairly easy to polarize, even when field strengths are
low.
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Hard and soft piezoelectric materials

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 Piezoelectric, Pyroelectric & Ferroelectric
Piezoelectricity and Pyroelectricity
The piezoelectric effect is the generation of an electric voltage upon application of
mechanical stress. Pyroelectricity relates to the generation of an electrical voltage
upon heating.

Piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity

Ferroelectric materials exhibit spontaneous nonlinear polarization in the absence of an
electric field. This polarization can be reversed by exposing the material to a strong
electric field.

A piezoelectric material converts mechanical energy into electric energy. When

piezoelectric materials are subjected to physical stress. 34
Applications
 Piezoelectricity-Applications
The applications of piezoelectricity includes the following fields:
• Piezoelectric Motors
• Actuators in Industrial Sector
• Sensors in Medical Sector
• Actuators in Consumer Electronics (Printers, Speakers)
• Piezoelectricity Buzzers
• Microphones
• Piezoelectric Igniters
• Nanopositioning in AFM, STM
• Micro Robotics (Defense)
Microphone
internal
Structure
Energy Harvesting through Piezoelectricity

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Energy Harvesting through Piezoelectricity

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 Piezoelectric sensors/actuators in industrial applications

1. Pressure sensors 2. Sonar equipment

3. Diesel fuel injectors
4. Fast response solenoids

5. Piezoelectric
ultrasonic cleansers
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 Piezoelectric sensors in medical applications

1. Ultrasound imaging
2. Ultrasonic procedures

Some non-invasive medical procedures rely on the use of

focused ultrasonic waves to break up kidney stones or
destroy malignant tissue
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 Piezoelectric actuators in consumer electronics
1. Piezoelectric printers

2. Piezoelectric speakers

piezoelectric actuators in the printer head act

on small diaphragms or otherwise change the
geometry of an inkwell so that ink usually inexpensive and require little power to produce
droplets are forced out of onto paper. relatively large sound volumes, use in all gadgets
3. Piezoelectric humidifiers
4. Electronic toothbrushes

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 Nanopositioning in AFM, STM

1. AFM/STM cantilever

The shaker piezo provides the

ability to oscillate the
probe/cantilever at a range of
frequencies (typically 100 Hz to 2
MHz)
 Piezoelectricity in defence applications

1. Micro robotics (robo-insect)

Micro robotics With the use of piezoelectric actuators,

building something as
small as a robotic fly that can crawl and
fly is technically feasible.