1. Overview of piezoelectric materials

1.1 Ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity

Piezoelectric materials are widely used in electronic devices such as actuators, sensors and transducers, thanks to their excellent electromechanical conversion properties.

The prefix "piezo" comes from the Greek word for "pressure". When a piezoelectric material is subjected to external mechanical stress, charges are generated on its surface. Once polarized, this material creates a voltage. The polarity of the surface charge generated depends on the direction of the applied stress, i.e. compression or tension. The conversion of mechanical energy into electrical energy is known as the direct piezoelectric effect. Its discovery is attributed to Pierre and Jacques Curie, in 1880. This property is used in the manufacture...