Piezoelectric cement composite for structural health monitoring

This study focuses on the design and development of perovskite (lead magnesium niobate, PMN, lead zirconium titante, PZT), tungsten bronze structured (lead barium bismuth niobate, PBBN) and OPC (ordinary Portland cement) abbreviated as x(0·5(PMN–PZT)–0·5PBBN)–(1−x)OPC, composite for non-destructive testing purposes. A new piezoelectric material was developed with a combination of perovskite, tungsten bronze and cement fabricated in situ through a solid state reaction method. The phase formation, microstructural, dielectric and electromechanical properties of a ceramic–cement composite were investigated. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns revealed in situ coexistence of distinct structures viz. perovskite and tungsten bronze phases in the ceramic–cement composite, which enhanced the polarisation owing to enhanced cationic concentration and their mutual interaction. The scanning electron micrographs confirmed the homogeneity between the cement and ceramic content. The room temperature dielectric constant and piezoelectric charge coefficient were optimum in PMN–PZT–PBBiN–OPC–3 in the series. The newly developed composite x(0·5(PMN–PZT)–0·5PBBN)–(1−x)OPC system can be integrated in civil engineering by means of structural health monitoring and non-destructive testing of structures.