Piezoelectric materials reimagined: From lead-free composites to triply periodic minimal surfaces for next-generation applications

With the rapid advancement of science and technology, piezoelectric materials have gained widespread applications across various fields, demonstrating significant market potential. These materials play a crucial role in traditional industries and emerging technologies, particularly in consumer electronics, automotive systems, and medical devices, driving substantial industry growth. In high-end sectors such as aerospace, biomedicine, and intelligent robotics, piezoelectric materials hold great promise for applications. However, challenges such as environmental pollution, performance limitations, and functional limitations persist. Future research will focus on addressing these issues to optimize material performance and sustainability. This review provides a comprehensive classification of piezoelectric materials, including crystals, ceramics, polymers, and composites (with emphasis on 0–3, 1–3, and 2–2 types), and highlights the emerging Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structured piezoelectric materials. Their unique properties, key influencing factors, and manufacturing methods (additive and non-additive techniques) are summarized. We explore emerging applications in biomedicine, electronic communication, and space energy, emphasizing breakthroughs in medical imaging, wearable sensors, and energy harvesting. Finally, we present a forward-looking perspective on the future of piezoelectric materials, focusing on environmentally friendly solutions, enhanced performance, and multifunctional applications. The innovation lies in the systematic integration of specific composite configurations and TPMS topology design, providing new insights for high-performance material development.