Highly dispersed carbon nanotube reinforced cement based materials

The remarkable mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) suggest that they are ideal candidates for high performance cementitious composites. The major challenge however, associated with the incorporation of CNTs in cement based materials is poor dispersion. In this study, effective dispersion...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cement and concrete research 2010-07, Vol.40 (7), p.1052-1059
Main Authors: Konsta-Gdoutos, Maria S., Metaxa, Zoi S., Shah, Surendra P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Buildings. Public works
Carbon nanotubes
Cement concrete constituents
Cements
Concretes. Mortars. Grouts
Dispersion A
Dispersions
Exact sciences and technology
Fiber reinforcement E
General (composition, classification, performance, standards, patents, etc.)
Materials
Mechanical properties C
Nanocomposite materials
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
Properties and test methods
Properties of anhydrous and hydrated cement, test methods
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) B
Surfactants
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Summary:The remarkable mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) suggest that they are ideal candidates for high performance cementitious composites. The major challenge however, associated with the incorporation of CNTs in cement based materials is poor dispersion. In this study, effective dispersion of different length multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in water was achieved by applying ultrasonic energy and in combination with the use of a surfactant. The effects of ultrasonic energy and surfactant concentration on the dispersion of MWCNTs at an amount of 0.08 wt.% of cement were investigated. It is shown that for proper dispersion the application of ultrasonic energy is absolutely required and for complete dispersion there exists an optimum weight ratio of surfactant to CNTs. For a constant ratio of surfactant to MWCNTs, the effects of MWCNT type (short and long) and concentration on the fracture properties, nanoscale properties and microstructure of nanocomposite materials were also studied. Results suggest that MWCNTs improve the nano- and macromechanical properties of cement paste.
ISSN:0008-8846
1873-3948
DOI:10.1016/j.cemconres.2010.02.015