Pyroelectric figures of merit and energy harvesting potential in ferroelectric cement composites

Abstract

The pyroelectric properties have been explored in Sn-doped (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 ceramics-cement (10% and 15% by weight) composites. Predictions were made for pyroelectric coefficients and pyroelectric figures of merit (FOM). The pyroelectric coefficient was found equal to 6.9 × 10–4, 6.8 × 10–4 and 4.7 × 10–4 C m−2 K−1 at 358 K for pristine, 10% and 15% cement composites, respectively using static measurement method. The pyroelectric FOMs can be improved by two-order when 10% of cement composites are used. The increase in pyroelectric FOMs results from lower density and low dielectric constant compared to the pristine sample. The energy harvesting potential in composites has also been shown for real devices. The average power is obtained as 13.3, 7.5 and 2.7 nW for pristine, 10% and 15% cement composite, respectively. These results are expected to significantly benefit the field of pyroelectric sensor and energy harvesting to further investigate in the direction of multifunctional devices. The various advantages accompanying with cement-based composites are: (i) It can be synthesized without sintering method, (ii) Samples can be made in any shape and size, (iii) The overall cost of the fabricated component/product is lower, and (iv) It can be easily integrated with the cement structure or self-monitoring buildings.