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This article presents a study on Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) energy harvesting characteristics of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) of soft grade (SP 5 A) samples under drop weight impact load. In the present study, four samples having different diameter to thickness (d/t) ratio were used. A possible EMR energy harvesting mechanism from these samples under impact loading has been discussed. It is found that the EMR parameters viz. EMR voltage, generated EMR energy, and so on, depend on the dimension of the sample and applied mechanical energy. The sample having highest t/d2 (0.069) produces maximum EMR voltage, that is, 2.31 V. Also for the same sample, EMR parameters increase with the increase in applied mechanical energy. Also an increasing pattern of EMR energy was observed with the increase in the capacitance value of the capacitor. The results obtained suggest the possibility of using PZT as a better option for energy harvesting, sensing, and structural health monitoring applications. Also the results suggest EMR technique as an alternative option for harnessing energy from piezoelectric ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the impact generated energy harvesting characteristics of cement/lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3; PZT) composites. A soft grade PZT (SP 5 A) with ∼1 µm sized particles in an unpoled state was utilised to prepare cement/PZT composites. The experiments were performed on 28 days' water cured unpoled samples. The total cumulative volume and average pore radius are observed to decrease with PZT concentration in the composite. The values of piezoelectric coefficient and capacitance were, respectively, found to increase by 300 and 275% for cement/PZT composites consisting of 40% PZT compared to that of 5% added PZT. The impact generated voltage and energy increases significantly with increasing PZT-content. The voltage generation from cement/PZT could be because of the oscillations of dipoles and the mobility of ions in the pores of the hydrated cement. The results obtained foreshadow the prospect of utilising cement/PZT composites for energy harvesting from civil structures, structural health monitoring, and as sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]