Intrinsic Sensing Properties of Chrysotile Fiber Reinforced Piezoelectric Cement-Based Composites

Our plain-English summary of Intrinsic Sensing Properties of Chrysotile Fiber Reinforced Piezoelectric Cement-Based Composites, by J. Luo, C. Zhang, L. Li, et al (Sensors, 2018).

The study

• Authors: J. Luo, C. Zhang, L. Li, B. Wang, Q. Li, K.L. Chung, C. Liu
• Journal: Sensors
• Published: 2018;18(9)
• Cited by: 4 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

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.

In plain English

This was a laboratory materials-engineering study, not a health study. It reported nothing about asbestos exposure in people or about disease. The authors made sensor wafers from lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT), which produces electricity when pressed. Reference PZT wafers contained a trace of strontium carbonate but no cement or chrysotile. PZTCC wafers also contained chrysotile fiber (CSF) and cement. The aim was a sensor for embedding in concrete structures. Adding chrysotile fiber and cement left the basic crystal structure largely unchanged but reduced the main perovskite peak. It also lowered the piezoelectric coefficient from 119.2 pC/N in the PZT wafers to 32.5 pC/N in the PZTCC wafers. PZTCC interface microhardness was 202.7 plus or minus 4.9 MPa, which the authors called similar to common concrete. Under cyclic loading, with fluctuations in the first cycle excluded, PZTCC wafers gave a mean sensitivity of 1.505 mV/N, linearity of 2.42% and repeatability of 2.11%. The authors concluded that PZTCC wafers were well suited as sensors embedded in concrete. They also stated that the coefficient was not yet high enough for real-world monitoring.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Laboratory materials experiment (fabrication and testing of piezoelectric sensor wafers); not a study of people or health
• Who was studied: No people were studied. The subjects were laboratory-made wafers made in China: PZT reference wafers with a trace of strontium carbonate, and PZT/chrysotile fiber/cement (PZTCC) wafers. The chrysotile fiber came from a Chinese supplier. The number of wafers made is not stated.
• Exposure: Chrysotile fiber (0.05%) and cement (25% of the PZT amount) were added to PZT powder as reinforcement. This was a material ingredient, not a human exposure.
• Main results:
  • Adding cement and chrysotile fiber had an insignificant effect on the basic crystal structure of PZT. It did reduce the main (110) perovskite peak and add miscellaneous peaks in the PZTCC wafers.
  • The piezoelectric coefficient (d33) fell from 119.2 pC/N in the PZT wafers to 32.5 pC/N in the PZTCC wafers.
  • The interface microhardness of the PZTCC composite was 202.7 plus or minus 4.9 MPa, which the authors described as similar to common concrete.
  • Under hammer impulses of 100, 200, 300 and 400 N, the PZTCC wafers produced about 150, 300, 450 and 600 mV respectively, over four repeat tests.
  • Under cyclic loading, the PZTCC wafers had a sensitivity of 1.505 V/kN (1.505 mV/N).
  • Under cyclic loading, the mean linearity was 2.42% and the mean repeatability was 2.11%. These means were calculated after excluding fluctuations in cycle 1.
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that PZTCC wafers were well suited as compatible sensors that could be embedded in concrete structures for in situ monitoring.
• Limitations the authors state:
  • The authors stated that the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of the PZTCC sensor was not yet high enough for in situ monitoring use, and that further treatment was planned.
  • The electrical response fluctuated during the first loading cycle, and that cycle was excluded from the reported means.

Topics

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Chrysotile, Crystal Structure, Hardness (Mohs Scale), Crystalline.

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