Microstructure and Dielectric Properties of 0-3 Cement/Rice Husk Ash-Lead Niobate Zirconate Titanate Ceramic Composites

The microstructure and dielectric properties of lead niobate zirconate titanate (PNZT), rice husk ash (RHA) and Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) composites were investigated. Ordinary Portland cement was partially replaced with rice husk ash at 20% by weight of binder. The rice husk ash was ground for 180 minutes before using. PNZT of mid particle sizes (450μm) were used at 30%, 50% and 70% by volume to produce the composites. The composites were mixed and pressed together and cured with 97%RH in chamber water bath for 3 days before measurements. The dielectric properties were measured under room temperature at different frequency. The results indicated that the dielectric constant of the 0-3 PC/RHA-PNZT composites increased with increasing PNZT content.