Microstructure and properties of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–Portland cement composites

Lead magnesium niobate, Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (PMN), ceramics particles was mixed with Portland Cement (PC) using a water to cement ratio of 0.50 and PMN content at 40% and 60% by weight to produce 0–3 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–Portland cement (PMN–PC) composites. Microstructure and hydration of the composites were investigated. Calcium silicate hydrate gel can be seen surrounding the PMN particles. Dielectric constant of the composites was found to increase with PMN content. Successful poling of the composites was achieved. Interestingly, SEM micrographs of the PMN40 composite clearly showed calcium silicate hydrate gel (an essential hydration product of Portland cement) surrounding the PMN particles. In PMN60 composite, the gel can also still be seen but of less quantity. This is thought to be due to the increase in the volume ratio of the ceramics where the amount of calcium silicate hydrate gel was reduced in relation to the overall volume.