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The Impact of Nanomaterials in Smart Construction Materials
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The Impact of Nanomaterials in Smart Construction Materials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Construction and Building Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 16892

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rabah Hamzaoui

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Université Paris-Est, Marne-la-Vallée, France
Interests: nanostructured materials; mechanosynthesis; nanocrystalline materials; low-carbon binders; concrete; mortar; geopolymers; soil treatment; introducing nanomaterials in construction materials for smart building
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanomaterials are coming into use in different domains, such as healthcare, electronics, cosmetics, civil engineering, and other areas. Applications of nanomaterials in civil engineering can generate smart construction materials with many specific characteristics, such as: self-cleaning, lighter and stronger, photocatalytic effect, good thermal and acoustic insulation, high mechanical performance, pozzolanic reactions activation, etc.

According to the several definitions given to nanomaterials, we can propose the following definition: nanomaterials are materials which have nano size less than 100 nm for at least one external dimension or have nano size less than 100 nm in external or internal structure. This nanometric size gives them unique or exceptional properties in comparison to their counterpart materials and these properties provide the possibility of or contribute to the creation of smart materials.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present the beneficial uses of nanomaterials for improving properties in civil engineering, as in:

1)   Cement and substitution (nanosilica, nanoclay, CNT, fly ashes, slag, etc.);

2)   Geopolymers;

3)   Sediment and sol treatment;

4)    Roads and paving;

5)    Green building (biosourced materials, low-CO2 cement, etc.);

6)    Mechanical properties, creep, fracture, and cracking;

7)    Durability and transport phenomena;

8)    Nanomaterials and their effect on building additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Prof. Rabah Hamzaoui
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Impact of nanomaterials on construction materials
  • Nanoparticles, nanostructured materials, and nanocrystalline materials in civil engineering
  • Applications of nanomaterials for smart construction materials
  • Building additive manufacturing and nanomaterials
  • Contribution of nanomaterials for green building
  • Influence of nanomaterials on building materials’ durability
  • Effect of nanomaterials on improving mechanical performance

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 2849 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Superabsorbent Polymers and Nanosilica on the Hydration Process and Microstructure of Cementitious Mixtures
by Gerlinde Lefever, Dimitrios G. Aggelis, Nele De Belie, Marc Raes, Tom Hauffman, Danny Van Hemelrijck and Didier Snoeck
Materials 2020, 13(22), 5194; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13225194 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 2500
Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are known to mitigate the development of autogenous shrinkage in cementitious mixtures with a low water-to-cement ratio. Moreover, the addition of SAPs promotes the self-healing ability of cracks. A drawback of using SAPs lies in the formation of macropores when [...] Read more.
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are known to mitigate the development of autogenous shrinkage in cementitious mixtures with a low water-to-cement ratio. Moreover, the addition of SAPs promotes the self-healing ability of cracks. A drawback of using SAPs lies in the formation of macropores when the polymers release their absorbed water, leading to a reduction of the mechanical properties. Therefore, a supplementary material was introduced together with SAPs, being nanosilica, in order to obtain an identical compressive strength with respect to the reference material without additives. The exact cause of the similar compressive behaviour lies in the modification of the hydration process and subsequent microstructural development by both SAPs and nanosilica. Within the present study, the effect of SAPs and nanosilica on the hydration progress and the hardened properties is assessed. By means of isothermal calorimetry, the hydration kinetics were monitored. Subsequently, the quantity of hydration products formed was determined by thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, revealing an increased amount of hydrates for both SAP and nanosilica blends. An assessment of the pore size distribution was made using mercury intrusion porosimetry and demonstrated the increased porosity for SAP mixtures. A correlation between microstructure and the compressive strength displayed its influence on the mechanical behaviour. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nanomaterials in Smart Construction Materials)
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17 pages, 5317 KiB  
Article
Equivalent Cement Clinker Obtained by Indirect Mechanosynthesis Process
by Rabah Hamzaoui and Othmane Bouchenafa
Materials 2020, 13(21), 5045; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13215045 - 9 Nov 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2680
Abstract
The aim of this work is to study the heat treatment effect, milling time effect and indirect mechanosynthesis effect on the structure of the mixture limestone/clay (kaolinite). Indirect mechanosynthesis is a process that combines between mechanical activation and heat treatment at 900 °C. [...] Read more.
The aim of this work is to study the heat treatment effect, milling time effect and indirect mechanosynthesis effect on the structure of the mixture limestone/clay (kaolinite). Indirect mechanosynthesis is a process that combines between mechanical activation and heat treatment at 900 °C. XRD, TGA, FTIR and particle size distribution analysis and SEM micrograph are used in order to follow thermal properties and structural modification changes that occur. It is shown that the indirect mechanosynthesis process allows the formation of the equivalent clinker in powder with the main constituents of the clinker (Alite C3S, belite C2S, tricalcium aluminate C3A and tetracalcium aluminoferrite C4AF) at 900 °C, whereas, these constituents in the conventional clinker are obtained at 1450 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nanomaterials in Smart Construction Materials)
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14 pages, 6821 KiB  
Article
Research on the Flame Retardancy Properties and Mechanism of Modified Asphalt with Halloysite Nanotubes and Conventional Flame Retardant
by Yangwei Tan, Zhaoyi He, Xiang Li, Bin Jiang, Jiaqi Li and Yonggang Zhang
Materials 2020, 13(20), 4509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13204509 - 12 Oct 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3356
Abstract
The inflammability of asphalt road will promote fire spread in the tunnel and produce lots of toxic smoke. To improve the fire resistance of asphalt pavement, mineral powder flame retardants are generally replaced by flame retardants in equal amounts. In this study, the [...] Read more.
The inflammability of asphalt road will promote fire spread in the tunnel and produce lots of toxic smoke. To improve the fire resistance of asphalt pavement, mineral powder flame retardants are generally replaced by flame retardants in equal amounts. In this study, the effects of the synergistic flame retardancy system of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) and conventional flame retardants (CFR) on the flame retardancy performance and mechanism of asphalt were investigated. Firstly, the flame retardancy properties of the HNTs and CFR composite modified asphalt were investigated based on the Cleveland open cup method (COC), Limiting oxygen index meter (LOI), and Cone calorimeter tests (CCTs). Then, the flame retardancy mechanism of the modified asphalt was studied based on Thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that adding HNTs could improve the flame retardancy of the CFR modified asphalt binder. When 1 wt % HNTs and 8 wt % CFR were used, the limiting oxygen index of asphalt increased by 40.1%, the ignition temperature increased by 40 °C, while the heat release rate, total heat release, the smoke production rate, total smoke release, and other parameters decreased with varying degrees. Based on TG, FTIR, and SEM, the targeted flame retardancy mechanism and synergistic effect of HNTs/CFR flame retardancy system were revealed and summarized as three stages: (1) Stage 1, aluminum hydroxide (ATH) absorbs heat through thermal decomposition and inhibits the decomposition of lightweight components in asphalt; (2) Stage 2, aluminum diethyl phosphate (ADP) decomposes and produces organic phosphoric acid, which catalyzes crosslinking and ring thickening of asphalt and the quenching effect of phosphorus free radicals to block the combustion; and (3) Stage 3, HNTs plays an important role in increasing the integrity and density of the barrier layer. In addition, the Al2O3 produced by the decomposition of ATH, the carbon layer formed by the ADP catalyzed pitch, and HNTs play a significant synergistic effect in the formation of the barrier layer. Thus, the combination of HNTs and CFR has been proved to be a prospective flame retardancy system for asphalt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nanomaterials in Smart Construction Materials)
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18 pages, 83376 KiB  
Article
Nanostructure and Fracture Behavior of Carbon Nanofiber-Reinforced Cement Using Nanoscale Depth-Sensing Methods
by Ange-Therese Akono
Materials 2020, 13(17), 3837; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13173837 - 31 Aug 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3308
Abstract
In recent years, carbon nanofibers have been investigated as a suitable reinforcement for cementitious composites to yield novel multifunctional materials with improved mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and self-sensing behavior. Despite several studies, the interactions between carbon nanofibers and Portland cement hydration products are not [...] Read more.
In recent years, carbon nanofibers have been investigated as a suitable reinforcement for cementitious composites to yield novel multifunctional materials with improved mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and self-sensing behavior. Despite several studies, the interactions between carbon nanofibers and Portland cement hydration products are not fully understood, with significant implications for the mechanical response and the durability at the macroscopic lengthscale. Thus, the research objective is to investigate the influence of carbon nanofibers on the nanostructure and on the distribution of hydration products within Portland cement paste. Portland cement w/c = 0.44 specimens reinforced with 0.0 wt%, 0.1 wt%, and 0.5 wt% CNF by mass fraction of cement are cast using a novel synthesis procedure. A uniform dispersion of carbon nanofibers (CNF) via a multi-step approach: after pre-dispersing carbon nanofibers using ultrasonic energy, the carbon nanofibers are further dispersed using un-hydrated cement particles in high shear mixing and mechanical stirring steps. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy analysis shows that carbon nanofibers fill nanopores and connect calcium–silicate hydrates (C–S–H) grains. Grid nano-indentation testing shows that Carbon nanofibers influence the probability distribution function of the local packing density by inducing a shift towards higher values, η = 0.76–0.93. Statistical deconvolution analysis shows that carbon nanofibers result in an increase in the fraction of high-density C–S–H by 6.7% from plain cement to cement + 0.1 wt% CNF and by 10.7% from plain cement to cement + 0.5 wt% CNF. Moreover, CNF lead to an increase in the C–S–H gel porosity and a decrease in both the capillary porosity and the total porosity. Based on scratch testing, adding 0.1 wt% CNF yields a 4.5% increase in fracture toughness and adding 0.5 wt% CNF yields a 7.6% increase in fracture toughness. Finally, micromechanical modelling predicts an increase of respectively 5.97% and 21.78% in the average Young’s modulus following CNF modification at 0.1 wt% CNF and 0.5 wt% CNF levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nanomaterials in Smart Construction Materials)
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15 pages, 3257 KiB  
Article
Halloysite Nanotubes as Nano-Carriers of Corrosion Inhibitors in Cement Formulations
by Monica Tonelli, Piero Baglioni and Francesca Ridi
Materials 2020, 13(14), 3150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma13143150 - 15 Jul 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3359
Abstract
The ingress of water, as a vehicle for many harmful substances, is the main cause of all the major physical and chemical degradation processes affecting concrete buildings. To prevent damage and protect concrete surfaces, coatings are generally used. Cement-based coatings in particular can [...] Read more.
The ingress of water, as a vehicle for many harmful substances, is the main cause of all the major physical and chemical degradation processes affecting concrete buildings. To prevent damage and protect concrete surfaces, coatings are generally used. Cement-based coatings in particular can act as a physical barrier and reduce the permeability of surfaces. In case of chloride-induced corrosion, corrosion inhibitors are also generally used, and nano-carriers have been proven to provide a long-term protective effect. In this work, we designed a surface protection cementitious coating enhanced with nano-silica and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs). HNTs were loaded with a corrosion inhibitor, benzotriazole (BTA), and used as nano-reservoir, while nano-silica was used to improve the structure of the protective coating and to strengthen its adhesion to the surface of application. The cementitious coatings were characterized with a multi-technique approach including thermal and spectroscopic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area and pore size distribution, and Vickers hardness test. The release of BTA was monitored through UV-vis analysis, and the transportation of BTA through coated mortars was studied in simulated rain conditions. We evidenced that the presence of silica densifies the porous structure and increases the interfacial bond strength between the protective coating and the surface of application. We report here, for the first time, that HNTs can be used as nano-carriers for the slow delivery of anti-corrosion molecules in cement mortars. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Nanomaterials in Smart Construction Materials)
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