Evaluation of the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Biopolymer-Based Cementitious Composites with Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of cementitious composites. Ag NPs were synthesized with an ultrasonic irradiation method using konjac gum–polyethylene glycol (KG/PEG) and locust gum–polyethylene glycol (LG/PEG) and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. To identify the effect of the Ag NPs on the mechanical properties of mortar, four different cement mortar mixtures were prepared with varying percentages of Ag NPs (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% by weight). Clear improvements were observed in the 7- and 28-day compressive and flexural strengths of nanocomposites with Ag NPs. A thorough microstructure investigation using SEM, EDS, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was presented, and the relationship between microstructure and the mechanical properties of cementitious composites including Ag NPs was discussed.