Energy harvesting using piezoelectric cementitious composites for water cleaning applications

Abstract Piezocatalysis is defined as the catalytic activity displayed by piezoelectric materials in the presence of suitable (mechanical excitation). Through this phenomenon, harvested electric energy can be directly utilized for environment remediation. This article reports on the development and application of piezoelectric composites for achieving water-treatment under dark-conditions. Cement composites containing (10, 20, and 30 wt%) BaTiO3 were fabricated and tested for removal of various textile dyes and pharmaceutical compounds from wastewater. The catalytic activity was observed to be dependent on both the loading concentration and excitation amplitude, with electrically poled samples (containing 30 wt% BaTiO3) displaying a maximum piezoelectric coefficient of ≈29 pC/N. Pollutant removal was achieved using ultrasonication as excitation source. These prepared composites also displayed a high stability against mechanical degradation under repeated usage. The presented results provide a new approach for development of functional cements for practical active and passive environmental remediation.