Piezoelectricity refers to the phenomenon where mechanical stress is converted into electrical signals or, conversely, electrical signals are converted into mechanical stress. Ferroelectric materials, characterized by high dielectric permittivity and spontaneous polarization, retain their polarization even after the removal of an electric field. In such materials, poling plays a crucial role in enhancing the piezoelectric effect, with the process of aligning dipoles being known as poling. This review focuses on studies that have compared and analyzed the enhancement of piezoelectric properties in ceramics and polymers through two representative poling methods: AC poling (ACP) and DC poling (DCP). Even within the same category of ceramics or polymers, variations in piezoelectric properties are observed based on the material type, poling method, and poling conditions. Under certain conditions, ACP has been shown to provide superior poling effects compared to DCP. Through this review, we propose that ACP has the potential not only to replace the traditionally used DCP in the poling of piezoelectric materials but also to serve as a more effective method. This could spark increased interest in the study of poling methods for piezoelectric polymers, a field that has received relatively less attention.
