Abstract
Lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) nanoscale powder was first synthesized by the sol-gel method, then PZT and 0–3 type PZT/chrysotile fiber (CSF)/cement composite (PZTCC) wafers were fabricated after grind-mixing PZT powder with strontium carbonate and/or cement, ductile CSF in tandem with press-sintered process, respectively. The crystal structure (XRD), microstructure (SEM), piezoelectric properties after surface silver penetration, and polarization of the PZT and PZTCC wafer were investigated. Furthermore, self-sensing responses under either impulse or cyclic loading and micro-hardness toughness of PZTCC were also investigated. Results show that the incorporation of CSF and cement admixture weakens the perovskite crystalline peak of PZTCC; reduces the corresponding piezoelectric coefficient from 119.2 pC/N to 32.5 pC/N; but effectively bridges the gap on the toughness between PZTCC and concrete since the corresponding microhardness with 202.7 MPa of PZTCC is close to that of concrete. A good linear and fast electrical response against either impulse or cyclic loading of the PZTCC is achieved with their respective sensitivity, linearity, and repeatability to 1.505 mV/N, 2.42%, and 2.11%. The sensing responses and toughness of PZTCC is encouraging as an intrinsic piezoelectric sensor for real-time health monitoring of ductile concrete structures.
Highlights
Han et al [22] showed that the piezoresistive sensitivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/cement composites declined with increasing water content
Trace strontium carbonate shows no effect on the crystalline structure of PZT and the main peak (110) of PZT is Pb(Zr0.52 Ti0.48 )O3 crystal phase, which is the classic ABO3 type perovskite [53]
The addition of cement and chrysotile fiber (CSF) in PZT/chrysotile fiber (CSF)/cement composite (PZTCC) is insignificant on the basic crystal structures of PZT, several miscellaneous peaks appear, and their corresponding main peak (110) is reduced, contributing to an inferior perovskite structure due to cement and CSF introduction (Figure 3)
Summary
The monitoring of the structural integrity of concrete structures under external static/dynamic loads ideally employ cement-embedded sensors with fast but highly-accurate responses [1,2,3,4]. The PZT-type sensor has the highest piezoelectric actuating-sensing function and strain sensitivity. Being gain intensive, they have extensive applications in structural health monitoring (SHM) [26,27,28,29]. PZT powder in nanoscale can be facile pressed and sintered into PCM-based sensor or actuator for SHM with accurate stoichiometric composition, uniform morphology, and proper microstructure to ensure good interface compatibility and enhanced piezoelectric sensitivity [38]. The piezoelectric, toughness, and self-sensing properties of PZT and PZTCC wafers were characterized to develop a type of intrinsic and ductile piezoelectric sensor for SHM in complex structure with balanced piezoelectric sensitivity and toughness
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