Admixtures in Cement-Matrix Composites for Mechanical Reinforcement, Sustainability, and Smart Features

Abstract

For more than a century, several inclusions have been mixed with Portland cement—nowadays the most-consumed construction material worldwide—to improve both the strength and durability required for construction. The present paper describes the different families of inclusions that can be combined with cement matrix and reviews the achievements reported to date regarding mechanical performance, as well as two other innovative functionalities of growing importance: reducing the high carbon footprint of Portland cement, and obtaining new smart features. Nanomaterials stand out in the production of such advanced features, allowing the construction of smart or multi-functional structures by means of thermal- and strain-sensing, and photocatalytic properties. The first self-cleaning concretes (photocatalytic) have reached the markets. In this sense, it is expected that smart concretes will be commercialized to address specialized needs in construction and architecture. Conversely, other inclusions that enhance strength or reduce the environmental impact remain in the research stage, in spite of the promising results reported in these issues. Despite the fact that such functionalities are especially profitable in the case of massive cement consumption, the shift from the deeply established Portland cement to green cements still has to overcome economic, institutional, and technical barriers.

Review on Characterization and Mechanical Performance of Self-cleaning Concrete

“…This is because pozzolanic activity of TiO 2 in hydrating cement attributed to the improvement of compressive strength of the modified concrete. There is a research on the effect of nanomaterials as cement replacement on physical properties of concrete, reported that the compressive strength of concrete and cement by using various nano products that commonly used in published research as additives and admixtures was reduced as in Table 1 [17].…”

Enhanced anti‐microbial activity in green concrete specimens containing fly ash, nanophase modifiers, and corrosion inhibitor

“…The COMSTAT analysis of the confocal images was well in agreement with the quantified results (Tables and ). In addition to the antibacterial activity, nanoparticles also act as fillers whereas, nitrite ions are reported to have good antimicrobial activity , thereby increasing the degradation resistance of CFNI specimens.…”

Heavy metal free thermal stabilizing-flame retarding modifier for plasticized poly(vinyl chloride)

“…For further clarification, many admixtures are added to the concrete mixture along with basic components (cement, water, aggregates) which can be added during the mixing process of the basic components in order to improve the properties of the concrete mixture. The improved properties vary according to the type of the admixture, where there are admixtures that improve the workability of the concrete and its durability, or accelerate or slow the cohesion of concrete, another admixture type works on increasing the wear resistance of the concrete surface, and there are admixtures minimizing the amount of water needed,K..etc [22,23]. Oxydtron contains high-temperature oxides and carbonates that make it one of the alternative options for conventional flame retardants used today [20].…”