High piezoelectricity 0-3 cement-based piezoelectric composites

0-3 cement-based piezoelectric composites were prepared with Portland cement as matrix, lead zirconate titanate (abbreviation PZT) as functional phase and powder with high dielectric constant and high specific surface area as enhanced phase. The composites were fabricated with compacted method and the compressive strength was 96 MPa. Results indicated that, with 1.5 kV/mm polarization voltage and steam curing, the 24 h piezoelectric strain constant d(33) was 32.4pC/N when the contents of PZT and enhanced phase were 60 vol.% and 20 wt.%, respectively; d(33) exceeded 70pC/N after curing at room temperature and dry atmosphere for 38 days; gradually, it reached a constant value 99.0pC/N after 90 days. This exhibited superior piezoelectric properties. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.