A Comprehensive Review on Piezoelectric Composites for Energy Harvesting and Sensing

Year : 2025 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 19 24
    By

    Sneha Varshney,

  1. Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, United College of Engineering and Research, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

The capacity of piezoelectric composites to transform mechanical energy into electrical energy and vice versa has drawn a lot of interest recently. This property makes them very appealing for use in energy harvesting and sensing applications. These materials combine the high piezoelectric performance of ceramics with the mechanical flexibility and processability of polymers or other matrices, enabling a wide range of practical uses in flexible electronics, wearable systems, and embedded sensor networks. Unlike monolithic ceramics, which are often brittle and difficult to process, piezoelectric composites offer enhanced mechanical robustness and design versatility while maintaining functional efficiency. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the current landscape of piezoelectric composites, focusing on their material constituents, structural classifications, fabrication techniques, and performance characteristics. It explores various connectivity models such as 0-3, 1-3, and 2-2 composites and evaluates their advantages and limitations in specific applications. The role of nanostructured fillers, eco-friendly alternatives, and multifunctional additives is also discussed in the context of enhancing piezoelectric response and durability. The article further highlights cutting-edge advancements in processing technologies, including 3D printing, electrospinning, and additive manufacturing, which are revolutionizing the development of next-generation piezoelectric devices. Applications in energy harvesting include powering wearable electronics, structural health monitoring, and autonomous wireless sensors, while sensing applications range from biomedical diagnostics to smart infrastructure. Despite rapid progress, challenges such as interface compatibility, material degradation, and scalability remain. This review concludes by outlining potential research directions aimed at overcoming these challenges through novel material design, modeling, and integration strategies. Overall, piezoelectric composites continue to evolve as a key class of materials that bridge the gap between rigid ceramics and soft electronics, paving the way for future innovations in self-powered and intelligent systems.

Keywords: Piezoelectric composites, energy harvesting, sensing, smart materials, lead-free ceramics, nanocomposites

[This article belongs to International Journal of Electro-Mechanics and Material Behaviour ]

How to cite this article:
Sneha Varshney. A Comprehensive Review on Piezoelectric Composites for Energy Harvesting and Sensing. International Journal of Electro-Mechanics and Material Behaviour. 2025; 03(01):19-24.
How to cite this URL:
Sneha Varshney. A Comprehensive Review on Piezoelectric Composites for Energy Harvesting and Sensing. International Journal of Electro-Mechanics and Material Behaviour. 2025; 03(01):19-24. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijemb/article=2025/view=224901


References

  1. Mengdi Zhang, Zifang Tan, Qingling Zhang, Yutong Shen Flexible Self-Powered Friction Piezoelectric Sensor Based on Structured PVDF-Based Composite Nanofiber Membranes. June 2023, ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2023; 15(25):30849–30858.
  2. R. Bowen, H. A. Kim, P. M. Weaver, S. Dunn et al. Piezoelectric and ferroelectric materials and structures for energy harvesting applications. Energy Environ Sci. 2014;7(1):25–44.
  3. Li L, Kim J, Uher C, Kanatzidis MG. High-performance flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators based on BaTiO3/PDMS composite films. Nano Energy. 2020;76:105035.
  4. Sodano HA, Inman DJ, Park G. A review of power harvesting from vibration using piezoelectric materials. Shock Vib Dig. 2004;36(3):197–205.
  5. Yao G, Kang L, Li J, Long YZ, Wang X. Flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators based on BaTiO3–PVDF composite films for self-powered wearable electronics. Adv Funct Mater. 2019;29(6):1805763.
  6. Wang ZL, Song J. Piezoelectric nanogenerators based on zinc oxide nanowire arrays. Science. 2006;312(5771):242–6.
  7. Jeong CK, Kim I, Park KI, Oh MH, Paik H, Hwang GT, et al. Self-powered fully-flexible light-emitting system based on mechanoluminescence and piezoelectric nanogenerators. Adv Mater. 2015;27(18):2866–74.
  8. Xu S, Qin Y, Xu C, Wei Y, Yang R, Wang ZL. Self-powered nanowire devices. Nat Nanotechnol. 2010;5(5):366–73.
  9. Kim J, Lee H, Yang K, Kim S, Ko H. Highly flexible and stretchable piezoelectric nanogenerators using nanocomposite films. Nano Energy. 2019;59:398–405.
  10. Shi K, Huang X, Meng Y, Tang Y, Zhang Z, Ma T, et al. A flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator with high output based on BaTiO3/PDMS composite. Nano Res. 2019;12(2):335–41.
  11. Dagdeviren C, Yang BD, Su Y, Tran PL, Joe P, Anderson E, et al. Conformal piezoelectric energy harvesting and storage from motions of the heart, lung, and diaphragm. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2014;111(5):1927–32.
  12. Lee JH, Kim H, Kim JW, Lee JK, Kim S, Nahm SH, et al. Lead-free (K,Na)NbO3-based piezoelectric nanocomposites for high-performance nanogenerators. J Mater Chem A. 2015;3(25):13471–8.
  13. Shin S, Yun JH, Park JY. Energy harvesting performance of a flexible piezoelectric PVDF-based nanogenerator. Microsyst Technol. 2017;23(8):3063–70.
  14. Ryu J, Priya S, Uchino K, Kim HES. Piezoelectric and magnetoelectric properties of lead-free PNN-PZT ceramics. J Electroceram. 2002;8(2):107–19.
  15. Nguyen TD, Deshmukh N, Nagarah JM, Kramer T, Purohit PK, Berry MJ, et al. Piezoelectric nanoribbons for monitoring cellular deformations. Nat Nanotechnol. 2012;7(9):587–93.
Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 03
Issue 01
Received 23/06/2025
Accepted 28/06/2025
Published 11/07/2025
Publication Time 18 Days
61


My IP

PlumX Metrics