Environment-friendly technologies with lead-free piezoelectric materials: A review of recent developments, applications, and modelling approaches

TL;DR

This review discusses recent advances in eco-friendly, lead-free piezoelectric materials, focusing on their development, modeling, and applications in sustainable technologies like energy harvesting and biomedical devices.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent experimental and numerical research on lead-free piezoelectric materials and their potential to replace hazardous lead-based options.

Findings

Numerical models enhance understanding of lead-free piezoelectric properties.

Lead-free materials show promise in energy harvesting and biomedical applications.

Research indicates potential for sustainable, eco-friendly piezoelectric devices.

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials are widely used in several industries, including power sources, energy harvesting, biomedical, electronics, haptic, photostrictive, and sensor/actuator technologies. Conventional piezoelectric materials, such lead zirconate titanate (PZT), pose significant environmental and health risks due to lead content. Recent years have seen a growing need for eco-friendly alternatives to lead-based piezoelectric technologies. The drawback of lead-free piezoelectric materials is a reduced responsiveness. To enhance the performance of lead-free piezoelectric materials, substantial research is being undertaken using both experimental and numerical methods. The experimental studies provide a deep understanding of the process and are crucial for developing lead-free piezoelectric materials. Relying only on experimental research is not feasible due to high expenditures. To understand the piezoelectric properties of lead-free materials and enhance their efficiency, it is crucial to develop varied numerical models and computational methods. This paper is a comprehensive summary of lead-free piezoelectric technology breakthroughs. The study emphasizes numerical models that demonstrate enhanced piezoelectric behaviour and their use in eco-friendly technologies like energy harvesting, haptics, nano-electromechanical, photostrictive, and biomedical sensors and actuators using lead-free materials. The paper discusses the synthesis, properties, and applications of eco-friendly materials, highlighting their potential to revolutionize piezoelectric devices and promote sustainable development and conservation.