Production and investigation on the piezocapacitive properties of self-sensing cement-based composites with reduced graphene oxide

Self-sensing cementitious materials have garnered considerable attention in the field of structural health monitoring due to their unique ability to function as strain sensors under mechanical loads. Among these smart materials, piezoelectric cement compounds have emerged as a rapidly growing area of research, demonstrating significant potential for the development of sensors with minimal energy requirements and the promise of self-sustainability. This paper conducts a thorough analysis of the electrical and mechanical properties of cement composites enriched with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and assesses their suitability as self- sensing strain sensors. The proposed methodology encompasses voltammetry measurements, current transients, and compression tests on rGO-cement composites to evaluate the piezoelectric coefficient of charge d 33 associated with piezocapacitive capabilities of the material. The presented findings showcase noticeable properties, with samples exhibiting a piezoelectric charge coefficient higher than previously documented compounds in the literature.