Sustainable Ferroelectrics for Sensors and Actuators: re-exploring the Electrical, Vibrational, and Acoustical Potential of impure Rochelle Salt

Rochelle salt, the oldest known piezoelectric and ferroelectric material, could be doped with various metal ions to modify its properties. The potential second life of this material lies in its unique combination of affordability, durability, and sufficiently strong ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties, which could replace current environmentally more expensive solutions for disposable or short-lived applications. In this work, we re-examined this material doped with iron-based inclusions and discussed a fully eco-circular production scenario. We then measured the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties and showed the possible modulation of electrical conductivity with iron ion doping. The comparative demonstration between RS and doped RS of the emission of acoustic signals was carried out, illustrating the possibility of using this material, pure or doped, as an ultrasonic transducer. The possibility of realizing ecologically variable ferroelectric capacities or ultrasonic transducer were finally demonstrated. The properties of this multi-ferroic material open up opportunities for significantly greener component, actuators and sensors. Green multi-physics applications will emerge using these eco-designed ferro- and piezoelectric material options.