Multilevel Modeling of 1-3 Piezoelectric Energy Harvester Based on Porous Piezoceramics

The paper presents a computer analysis of the properties of a piezoelectric composite consisting of porous piezoceramic rods regularly arranged in an elastic matrix (piezocomposite with a connectivity of 1-3). The porous piezoceramic PZT-4 is used based on porous piezoceramics as an active material. The calculation of material properties is carried out based on a multilevel approach. First, the effective moduli of porous piezoceramics are determined, and then a 1-3 piezocomposite with rods having the calculated homogeneous properties is analyzed. The simulation uses the homogenization method based on the Hill lemma and the finite element method, as well as approximate analytical models. The effective properties of 1-3 composite are determined for various percentages of porosity of piezoceramic rods, which are a composite of 3-0 connectivity. Calculations were performed in the software package ACELAN-COMPOS. The calculated properties are used in finite element models to evaluate the effectiveness of composite materials in sensors and energy harvesting devices. Two cases of stiffness of an isotropic matrix are considered, which correspond to the stiffness of a porous composite at 50% and 80% porosity. The electromechanical properties, such as electro-mechanical coupling coefficient and output potential, for different transducers models made from the proposed composite are analyzed.