Dielectric,ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of lead-free Ba0.95Ca0.05Ti1-xZrxO3 ceramics

Abstract

Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Ti_1-xZr_xO₃ (BCTZO) ceramics were prepared by a solid state reaction method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). The ceramics exhibit a pure perovskite structure. The average grain size gradually decreases with increasing Zr concentration. XANES results indicate that the intensities of pre-edge peaks dropped with increasing Zr concentration. The BCTZO ceramic of x?=?0.05 has the optimum electrical properties with the maximum dielectric constant (ε'_m), remanent polarization (2P_r), coercive electric field (2E_c) and piezoelectric charge constant (d₃₃) of 7,244, 12.54 (μC/cm²), 5.29 (kV/cm) and 288 (pC/N), respectively.     

Effect of grinding on chemical and physical properties of rice husk ash

The effect of grinding on the chemical and physical properties of rice husk ash was studied. Four rice husk ashes with different finenesses,i.e. coarse original rice husk ash (RHA0),RHA1,RHA2,and RHA3 were used for the study. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was partially replaced with rice husk ash at 20% by weight of binder. The water to binder ratio (W/B) of the mortar was maintained at 110%±5% with flow table test. Specific gravity,fineness,chemical properties,compressive strength,and porosity test of mor...     

Strength and chloride resistance of blended Portland cement mortar containing palm oil fuel ash and fly ash

This paper presented a study on the strength and chloride resistance of mortars made with ternary blends of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), ground palm oil fuel ash (POA), and classified fly ash (FA). The mortar mixtures were made with Portland cement type I containing 0-40wt% FA and POA. FA and POA with 1wt%-3wt% retained on a sieve No.325 were used. The compressive strength and rapid chloride penetration depth of mortars were determined. The results reveal that the use of ternary blended cements produces ...     

Performances of SDCM and DCM walls under deep excavation in soft clay: Field tests and 3D simulations

This study presents the results of full-scale tests and three-dimensional finite element analyses of deep cement mixing (DCM) and stiffened deep cement mixing (SDCM) columns under lateral loads and DCM and SDCM walls under deep excavation in soft clay. The DCM walls used in this study comprised one, two and three rows of DCM columns, whereas the SDCM walls consisted of only one row of DCM columns with steel H-beams inserted in either all DCM columns or in alternating DCM columns. The measured and simulated results are presented in terms of profiles of lateral displacement, settlement and bending moment.     

Workability and strength of lignite bottom ash geopolymer mortar

In this paper, the waste lignite bottom ash from power station was used as a source material for making geopolymer. Sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were used as liquid for the mixture and heat curing was used to activate the geopolymerization. The fineness of bottom ash, the liquid alkaline/ash ratio, the sodium silicate/NaOH ratio and the NaOH concentration were studied. The effects of the additions of water, NaOH and napthalene-based superplasticizer on the workability and strength of the geopolymer mortar were also studied. Relatively high strength geopolymer mortars of 24.0–58.0 MPa were obtained with the use of ground bottom ash with 3% retained on sieve no. 325 and mean particle size of 15.7 μm, using liquid alkaline/ash ratios of 0.429–0.709, the sodium silicate/NaOH ratios of 0.67–1.5 and 7.5–12.5 M NaOH. The incorporation of water improved the workability of geopolymer mortar more effectively than the use of napthalene-based superplasticizer with similar slight reduction in strengths. The addition of NaOH solution slightly improves the workability of the mix while maintaining the strength of the geopolymer mortars.     

Factors affecting the shrinkage of fly ash geopolymers

The shrinkage of fly ash geopolymers was studied in the present study.Fly ash was used as the source material for making the geopolymers.The effects of the concentration of Na0H,sodium silicate-to-NaOH ratio,liquid-to-ash ratio,curing temperature,and curing time on shrinkage were investigated.The geopolymers were cured at 25,40,and 600C,respectively.The results indicate that the shrinkage of geopolymers is strongly dependent on curing temperature and liquid-to-ash ratio.The increase in shrinkage is associated with the low strength development of geopolymers.It is also found that NaOH concentration and sodium silicate-to-NaOH ratio also affect the shrinkage of geopolymers but to a lesser extent.     

Plaster materials from waste calcium sulfate containing chemicals,organic fibers and inorganic additives

Plaster materials made of waste gypsum or flue-gas-desulferized (FGD) gypsum with chemicals;organic and inorganic additives were studied. Glucose;citric acid and sodium bicarbonate were incorporated to retard the hydration of plaster. Saw dust (SD);coconut fibers (CCF) and tobacco waste fiber (TWF) were incorporated to improve the thermal property. Diatomaceous earth (DE);fly ash (FA) and bottom ash (BA) were incorporated to improve the mechanical and thermal properties. Citric acid;TWF;sodium bicarbonate and glucose could be used to retard the setting time of fresh FGD-plaster to approximately 25 min comparable to that of commercial plaster while the other additives did not retard the hydration. In presences of these retarding additives;needle shaped gypsum changed into lower aspect ratio particles. SD;CCF;DE;FA and BA modified gypsum crystal growth and reduced the crystal length. These changes in morphology consequently gave significant alterations of mechanical and thermal properties of the materials. The additions of organic and inorganic additives resulted in a reduction of bulk density and increases in water absorption;and similar strength compared to commercial gypsum. A good thermal insulating property was obtained from the samples with the incorporation of coconut fiber;BA and DE. In addition;these samples had a good performance in fire proof.     

Synthesis of belite cement from lignite fly ash

Synthesis of belite cement from lignite fly ash is studied as it can be produced using low temperature between 750 and 1200 °C leading to energy saving and low carbon dioxide emission. Two synthesis methods viz., clinkerization and hydrothermal processes assisted by calcinations are studied. Lignite fly ash is used as a main starting material. For the clinkerization process, the firing temperatures, types of additives and calcium oxide/silicon dioxide ratios (Ca/Si) are studied. In this process, the reaction between fly ash and calcium carbonate produces gehlenite (2CaO·Al₂O₃·SiO₂) which is undesirable due to its poor hydraulic property. A slightly higher belite (2CaO·SiO₂) phase is obtained using sulfate ion as a dopant and using high Ca/Si ratio. The strength of gehlenite bearing belite cement is, however, rather poor. For the hydrothermal–calcination process, the alkaline concentrations and calcining temperatures are studied. The final products are belite phase and mayenite (12CaO·7Al₂O₃) which are desirable as they possess hydraulic properties. The reasonable 28-day compressive strength of the belite cement mortar of 9.5 MPa is obtained. The hydrothermal process assisted by calcination is, therefore, suitable for use in the synthesis of belite cement from lignite fly ash.     

Porosity enhancement of activated carbon by hydrolyzed lignin from black liquor

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - In this work, the porosity enhancement of activated carbon by hydrolyzed lignin extracted from black liquor was studied. Lignin was treated before...