Multifunctional Cement‐Based Composite with Advanced Self‐Sensing, Electrothermal, and Electrochemical Properties

Abstract

Developing multifunctional construction materials with advanced functionalities and excellent mechanical toughness remains a significant challenge within the field of civil engineering. Herein, a scalable and cost‐effective approach for fabricating versatile cement‐based composites is introduced. This is achieved by pre‐embedding a 3D‐printed conductive lattice framework (LF) into cement pastes with the incorporation of carbon black (CB). LFs contribute significantly to the flexural extension of the composite structure and when combined with CB, they substantially improve the conductivity of the matrix, enabling its self‐sensing applications. Moreover, the obtained conductivity enables the application of electrochemical deposition techniques for in situ polymerization and deposition of polypyrrole (PPy) onto the composite surface. PPy coatings further endow the cement‐based composites with excellent electrothermal and electrochemical performance. For instance, applying a direct current voltage of 18 V for 10 min results in a temperature increase exceeding 45 °C, indicating promising de‐icing capabilities. When assembled as a supercapacitor, it exhibits an outstanding energy density, reaching 61.7 µWh cm−2 at a power density of 150 µW cm−2 and demonstrating its potential for energy storage application in the construction sector. In conclusion, this study introduces an innovative strategy for the advancement of intelligent and multifunctional cement‐based construction materials, emphasizing the importance of multifunctionality in modern construction practices.