Advances in piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites for vat photopolymerization-based additive manufacturing

Vat photopolymerization-based 3D printing is an emerging platform for fabricating high-performance piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites with precise structural control. 3D printing processing of piezoelectric composites critically depends on the optimization of the interfacial chemistry and compatibility between ceramic fillers and polymer matrices. Specifically, the use of materials with excellent piezoelectric properties, an optimal formulation combined with dispersants and silane coupling agents that enhance uniform particle dispersion and strong interfacial adhesion, enables high ceramic loading at low viscosity critical for defect-free printing and facilitates the fabrication of high-performance piezoelectric composites. Structurally, architectural designs such as lattices and metamaterials enable localized stress concentration and anisotropic strain distribution, amplifying piezoelectric responses. Simulation-based materials and structural designs can also predict piezoelectric properties and bridge the gap between experiments and performance. Moreover, controlling the rheological properties and curing behavior is critical for achieving high-resolution, defect-free prints. This review highlights the synergistic roles of material design, structural architecture, and processing control in enhancing the electromechanical coupling of 3D-printed piezoelectric composites, thereby offering new pathways for advanced piezoelectric composite additive manufacturing applications.