Roles of CSH gel in the microstructure and piezoelectric properties variation of cement-based piezoelectric ceramic composite

Abstract

The microstructures of cement-based piezoelectric composites with Portland cement (hydrated/fresh cement powder) as the matrix phase and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles as the functional phase are characterized to illustrate the effect of calcium-silicate-hydrate (CSH) on the binding behavior between two phases before and after polarization. Piezoelectric properties variation are traced to evaluate the aging effect. Results show the CSH structure change from nano-flocculent/fibrous to ellipsoid after polarization. The piezoelectric strain factor of the hydrated cement-based composite with low hydration capacity shows a decreasing trend with age due to the insufficient binding between the CSH and PZT particles, while that of the fresh cement-based composite shows an opposite tendency. This investigation also reveals the influence of polarization on the CSH gel structure, promoting the further understanding of binding behavior between the CSH and PZT for the piezoelectric performance variation during the non-polarization process.