Development of Smart BZT-Cement Mortar Nanocomposites
Received: 31 July 2025 | Revised: 27 September 2025 | Accepted: 5 October 2025 | Online: 8 December 2025
Corresponding author: Layla M. Hasan
Abstract
Nano Silica Fume (NSF) is characterized by its ultrafine particle size and high pozzolanic reactivity, and it has shown great potential in enhancing the structural and functional properties of cement-based materials. In this work, NSF was incorporated into Barium-Zirconate-Titanate (BZT) cement composites to assess its influence on the dielectric, piezoelectric, and mechanical behavior of the system. The microstructural examinations revealed that the NSF addition refined the internal morphology, improved the BZT particle dispersion, and stimulated the formation of additional Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H), resulting in a denser and more uniform matrix. The dielectric measurements indicated a notable increase in relative permittivity and a reduction in dielectric loss, primarily attributed to the improved BZT interconnectivity and interfacial polarization. The incorporation of NSF also enhanced the matrix-filler bonding and electromechanical coupling, leading to higher piezoelectric coefficients and better acoustic impedance. It additionally caused a significant improvement in the compressive strength of the cement mortar compared to the unmodified BZT-cement composite. The findings indicate that NSF functions simultaneously as a microstructure modifier and a performance enhancer, thus broadening the application of BZT-cement composites for multifunctional sensing and structural health monitoring purposes.
Keywords:
Nano Silica Fume (NSF), BZT-cement composite, dielectric properties, piezoelectric behavior, microstructure, compressive strengthDownloads
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