Can Bismuth Titanate Make Electronics More Eco-Friendly?

In this day and age, you can’t escape electronic devices. Our lives are run on electricity and most of us work and live on our laptops, computers, smartphones and other connected devices. 

Smart homes, where items and appliances ranging from heating systems to light bulbs are able to be controlled from a single device, are becoming more and more commonplace. 

The emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT) has, in many ways, enabled us to become more environmentally responsible, for instance by turning on our heating on our way home from work rather than having it set to switch on at a set time every day.

Thanks to the IoT, we can also see our energy use in real time, encouraging each of us to make more environmentally conscious choices by turning off appliances or devices we’re not using. While this is often driven by a desire to save money on energy bills, it benefits the environment just the same. 

But what about our devices themselves? How are these becoming more environmentally friendly? And could the shift towards renewable energy sources globally also play a role in higher demand for this substance?

 

Switching away from harmful materials

One of the main ways in which our devices are changing is through the materials they use. For instance, piezoelectric materials are an essential component in many modern electronic devices. 

In the past, lead-based piezoelectric materials were more commonly used. However, manufacturers are keen to steer away from lead-based materials. This is because of lead’s well documented toxic properties. 

When we’re exposed to lead, it can have a harmful impact on many of our body’s systems, from our brain and liver to our kidneys and our bones. 

In addition, when products containing lead-based components are discarded, they can cause environmental damage as they break down. This is why finding alternatives to lead is important – and that’s where bismuth titanate comes in. 

As a bismuth titanate supplier, we know that its piezoelectric properties mean it’s a good substitute for lead-based alternatives. However, it is also resistant to corrosion and highly stable at high temperatures, which adds to its appeal as a substitute for other substances. 

 

Improving the longevity of our devices

Because of its corrosion resistance, bismuth titanate based piezoelectric sensors in devices like smartphones have the potential to last longer than those produced using alternative materials. Less electronic waste is certainly a win for the environment. 

Globally, the amount of e-waste we produce is increasing by over 2.5 million tonnes every year, with less than a quarter of the electronic waste we create being effectively collected and recycled.

Therefore, any steps to improve how long we hold onto our laptops, smartphones and other electronics could help reduce the tide of waste and give the world time to create a robust recycling system to ensure valuable minerals and components don’t get lost. 

 

Providing a new energy storage option

Research is increasingly highlighting how bismuth titanate could be used for energy storage technology. The key is how it can be incorporated into dielectric capacitors where its thermal stability, efficiency and fast charge and discharge speeds all show promise. 

While research and work is ongoing to find the best uses for bismuth titanate over the long term, there is no doubt that it will become a key material in many electronic goods. 

The boom in renewable energy solutions is only likely to fuel demand for bismuth titanate and other materials that offer safe alternatives to more traditionally used components. 

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable energy power capacity is predicted to significantly increase by 2030. 

The organisation also noted in its latest report that in the five years from 2025 to 2030, renewable energy will experience faster growth than it did in the five year period from 2020 to 2025. 

All of this means that renewable power is on track to more than double in capacity, reaching a predicted 4.600 GW by the end of this decade. Solar PV is leading the charge, although growth is also anticipated across the wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy industries.

When you look at all of these factors together, it’s clear to see that demand for materials such as bismuth titanate is not only going to remain strong, it is highly likely to grow significantly as we move forward. 

This is why it’s essential for you to find a bismuth titanate supplier you can rely on if your business needs this material to produce components, whether they are for consumer electronics or the broader renewable energy industry.