Enhanced Figure-of-Merit Energy Harvesting in [001]-Oriented PMN-PZT Ceramics Via Synergistic Multi-Scale Engineering

Developing piezoelectric materials with a high figure-of-merit (FOM = d₃₃×g₃₃/tanδ) is crucial for advanced energy-harvesting technologies. Here, a high FOM is achieved in [001]-oriented Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-PbZrO₃-PbTiO₃ (PMN-PZT) textured ceramics by synergistically integrating grain orientation, defect engineering, and morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) design. The textured ceramic exhibits exceptional properties (piezoelectric charge coefficient d₃₃ = 1120 pC·N⁻¹, piezoelectric voltage coefficient g₃₃ = 62 × 10⁻³ V·m·N⁻¹, and an ultralow dielectric loss tanδ = 0.23%). Atomic-scale analysis reveals that the [001] intrinsic anisotropy and mixed rhombohedral-tetragonal domains facilitate polarization rotation to boost d₃₃ and g₃₃, while Mn doping-induced defect dipoles suppress dielectric loss. Consequently, an ultrahigh FOM of 30,180 × 10⁻¹² m²·N⁻¹ is realized. Furthermore, a cantilever energy harvester utilizing this textured ceramic delivers an outstanding power density of 0.72 µW·mm⁻³, which is 78 times higher than that of commercial soft PZT. This work provides an effective strategy for designing high-FOM piezoelectric materials for high performance energy harvesting applications.