From Nanostructural Characterization of Nanoparticles to Performance Assessment of Low Clinker Fiber–Cement Nanohybrids

Abstract

With the current paper three nano-Montmorillonites (nMt) are applied in cement nanohybrids: an organomodified nMt dispersion, nC2; an inorganic nMt dispersion, nC3; and an organomodified powder, nC4. nC4 is fully characterized in this paper (X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy/X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetry. Consecutively a ternary non pozzolanic combination of fiber–cement nanohybrids (60% Portland cement (PC) and 40% limestone (LS)) was investigated in terms of flexural strength, thermal properties, density, porosity, and water impermeability. Flexural strength was improved after day 28, particularly with the addition of the inorganic nMt dispersion. There was no change in density or enhancement in pozzolanic reactions for the powder nMt. Mercury intrusion porosimetry showed that the pore related parameters were increased. This can be attributed to mixing effects and the presence of fibers. Water impermeability tests yielded ambiguous results. Clearly, novel manufacturing processes of cement nanohybrids must be developed to eliminate mixing issues recorded in this research.

A Step by Step Methodology for Building Sustainable Cementitious Matrices

“…The present paper is the last part of an extensive research program carried out at the University of Bath, aimed at investigating the effect of nanoparticles in sustainable blended cements. Although a significant number of papers have been published on the effect of various nanoparticles on low carbon footprint composite cementitious formulations [5,8,10,25,[27][28][29][30]40,42,[44][45][46][47], the starting pastes and the methodology of selecting formulation on performance based criteria, has never been discussed before. The paper has introduced, analyzed, compared and discussed, a suite of binary (PC + LS) and ternary (PC + FA + LS) cementitious matrices.…”

“…In areas where pozzolanic materials are scarce, binary formulations can be developed as the control mix, further enhanced by highly reactive materials, such as nanoparticles of SiO 2 or montmorillonite [10,29,44,47].…”

Special Issue on “Micro/Nano Manufacturing”

“…The Special Issue contains 13 papers covering the topics listed above [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. The treated micro fabrication technologies range from established processes like elliptical vibration cutting to novel process chains such as the formation of nanoparticle arrays by hot embossing and sputtering.…”

A Review of the Assessment Tools for the Efficiency of Nanolime Calcareous Stone Consolidant Products for Historic Structures

“…Apart from mineralogical analysis, XRD is used to probe the structure and measure the interlayer spacing by monitoring the basal reflection of the silicate layers. Changes in basal spacing offer an indication of the intercalation of nano-montmorillonites, for example [3,[18][19][20]. The TEM and, in specific, the study of diffraction patterns can clarify the extent of the dispersion of nanoparticles [21,22].…”