Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology in Civil Engineering

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2025 | Viewed by 852

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
Interests: nanocomposites; dispersion characterization; nanoparticle functionalization

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
Interests: advanced; high performance; smart materials; smart cities; autonomous systems
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of civil engineering has witnessed substantial advancements with the integration of nanomaterials and nanotechnology, revolutionizing material performance and structural efficiency. The inclusion of various nanomaterials has provided novel solutions for improving the load-bearing capacity, crack resistance, and durability of traditional construction materials such as concrete, asphalt, steel, and composites. Additionally, nanotechnology also facilitates the development of smart materials for structural health monitoring, enabling the early detection of potential damage and proactive maintenance.

This Special Issue aims to explore how nanotechnology can transform the future of civil engineering, paving the way for more resilient, intelligent, and sustainable infrastructures. Submissions of original research articles, review articles, methodology articles, and case studies are all welcome to provide innovative insights into cutting-edge research on the application of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in civil engineering. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  1. Nano-enhanced civil engineering materials;
  2. Nanotechnology for construction durability and protection;
  3. Smart infrastructures and structural health monitoring;
  4. Nano-scale characterizations and modeling;
  5. Nanotechnology in 3D printing and advanced manufacturing.

Dr. Dawei Zhang
Prof. Dr. Ying Huang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoparticle
  • nanocomposites
  • nanotechnology
  • nanoscale characterization
  • civil engineering

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 6439 KiB  
Article
Coarse-Grained Monte Carlo Simulations of Graphene-Enhanced Geopolymer Nanocomposite Nucleation
by Mohammadreza Izadifar, Neven Ukrainczyk and Eduardus Koenders
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(4), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15040289 - 13 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 578
Abstract
Geopolymer nanocomposites, incorporating pristine graphene-based nanomaterials, are at the forefront of research in advanced construction materials, improving mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. This study investigates the nucleation mechanisms of geopolymers on pristine graphene substrates, namely graphene-reinforced geopolymer nanocomposites (GRGNs), by analyzing nanostructure particle [...] Read more.
Geopolymer nanocomposites, incorporating pristine graphene-based nanomaterials, are at the forefront of research in advanced construction materials, improving mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. This study investigates the nucleation mechanisms of geopolymers on pristine graphene substrates, namely graphene-reinforced geopolymer nanocomposites (GRGNs), by analyzing nanostructure particle sizes, pore size distributions, cluster sizes, and system energy at a pH of 11, compared to a system without graphene nanosheets. Seven distinct monomer species were selected to observe cluster evolution over numerous iterations, providing insights into the dynamic nature of geopolymer nucleation on graphene-based substrates. Thus, the computed adsorption energies, based on recent DFT studies, reveal interactions between aluminosilicate species and graphene nanomaterials. Furthermore, the implementation of energy values from dimerization reactions among monomer species, as reported earlier, introduces tetrahedral geometrical constraints, crucial for understanding how particles aggregate into clusters. The key findings indicated that (4.34%) fewer particles participate in cluster formation in the system containing a graphene nanosheet compared to the one without it. However, the system with the graphene nanosheet exhibits (1.65%) more favorable energy. This contrast is due to the weaker adsorption energy on the graphene nanosheet (heterogenous nucleation) than in homogenous particle nucleation. The complete dissolution of MK required (4.54%) more iterations in the system with graphene than in the system without it. This research underscores the significant potential of geopolymer nanocomposites and their role in shaping the future of construction materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology in Civil Engineering)
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