Lead-free hybrid material turns motion into powerful electric charge

Researchers from the University of Birmingham, Oxford, and Bristol have developed a new lead-free hybrid piezoelectric material based on bismuth iodide that efficiently converts mechanical motion into electricity. This soft, durable material matches the performance of conventional lead-based ceramics like lead zirconate titanate (PZT) but avoids the environmental and health hazards associated with lead. Unlike PZT, which requires high-temperature processing (~1000°C), the bismuth-iodide hybrid can be synthesized at room temperature, making it easier and greener to produce. This innovation holds promise for powering sensors, wearable devices, medical implants, and flexible electronics in a more sustainable way. The team used advanced characterization techniques, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), to reveal that halogen bonding between the organic and inorganic components is key to the material’s piezoelectric properties. This bonding induces a subtle structural instability that breaks symmetry, enhancing the piezoelectric response without the drawbacks of traditional