Researchers at Tsinghua University in China might have found the way forward when it comes to adding a greener touch to piezoelectricity. While most piezoelectric products are produced using lead zirconate titanate (PZT), the new method might well put an end to the synthesis of usage of lead in the times to come. Varied experiments with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) have shown that one can expect to produce substances that offer as much power output as those made with PZT by altering them slightly.
To increase the ability of ZnO to produce piezoelectricity the group added an element called Vanadium to it. This was done by adding Vanadium to a ZnO foil and the new material (Zn0.975V0.025O) showed a d33 value of about 170pC/N; a measurement that showcases the strength of piezoelectric current. This was a vast improvement from the value of 9.9-12.4pC/N that was observed in ZnO before the addition of Vanadium to it.
Of course, this does not offer immediate solutions that can be translated into commercial products as of now. The d33 of PZT is 400-2,200pC/N and that is considerably a lot higher than the vanadium added ZnO at the current moment. But, using the technology for various other compounds and adding other elements could possibly lead us to lead free piezoelectric panels.
For those still in the dark, piezoelectricity is the process where mechanical force is converted into electricity and vice versa. With the amount of mechanical work that we do each day which goes wasted, efficient piezoelectric products could produce substantial energy in future.
Via: Nikkeibp
