Temperature Field Analysis for PZT Pyroelectric Cells for Thermal Energy Harvesting

Sensors

Chun-Ching Hsiao¹  Jing-Chih Ciou¹  An-Shen Siao¹ 

[1] Department of Mechanical Design Engineering, National Formosa University, No. 64, Wunhua Rd., Huwei Township, Yunlin County 632, Taiwan; E-Mails:

关键词: pyroelectricity;    PZT;    thermal energy;    temperature variation rate;   

DOI  :  10.3390/s111110458

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This paper proposes the idea of etching PZT to improve the temperature variation rate of a thicker PZT sheet in order to enhance the energy conversion efficiency when used as pyroelectric cells. A partially covered electrode was proven to display a higher output response than a fully covered electrode did. A mesh top electrode monitored the temperature variation rate and the electrode area. The mesh electrode width affected the distribution of the temperature variation rate in a thinner pyroelectric material. However, a pyroelectric cell with a thicker pyroelectric material was beneficial in generating electricity pyroelectrically. The PZT sheet was further etched to produce deeper cavities and a smaller electrode width to induce lateral temperature gradients on the sidewalls of cavities under homogeneous heat irradiation, enhancing the temperature variation rate.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.