Simulation and experimental study of NBT-BT based compositions for thermal energy harvesting

Abstract

This work analyzes the effect of heat source and structure parameters (area and thickness) on lead-free pyroelectric ceramics energy harvesting. The paper's main focus is to provide a criterion for selecting the most appropriate material parameter based on the available heat source, operating temperature range and system compactness. Na0.5Ba0.5TiO3-xBaTiO3-yZnO (NBT-xBT-yZnO) ceramics, x = 6, 9

doped ceramics, x = 6 with y = 0.005 and 0.01

composites NBT-6BT:10ZnO, NBT-6BT:40ZnO, NBT-9BT:10ZnO and NBT-9BT:40ZnO are used for analysis. The NBT-6BT:40ZnO is suitable for 500 W/m2, 1000 W/m2, 20–40 °C and 40–60 °C. It is found that thickness below 20 µm provides a large pyroelectric current, but the current and power supply would be intermittent in an operating cycle. Additionally, the power boosting circuits parallel synchronized switch harvesting on an inductor (P-SSHI) and hybrid synchronized switch harvesting on an inductor (H-SSHI) are used to enhance the power output. P-SSHI and H-SSHI obtain the maximum power of ∼7 and 7.5 mW working in the 80–100 °C temperature range. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd