Graphene family (GFMs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) on smart materials for civil construction: Self-cleaning, self-sensing and self-heating

Abstract

The development of building materials capable of combining structural features with additional functionalities is a modern demand for creating smart and multifunctional structures. This involves integrating properties such as self-cleaning, self-sensing, and self-heating with the conventional functions of building structures, including facades, structural elements, roadways, among others. The arising of these properties can be triggered by the integration of carbon-based materials (CMs), which encompass a range of systems including graphene family materials (GFMs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and carbon black (CB). Promising results indicate that it is possible to develop CMs with multifunctional properties and improved durability. However, early-stage studies of GFMs incorporation for self-cleaning surfaces are still present challenges, necessitating the understanding of maintenance protocols and environmental implications, including leaching concerns. Reports highlight a trade-off between enhanced self-sensing and self-heating properties and reduced mechanical strength, particularly evident with CB use in electrically conductive cement composites (ECCCs). Furthermore, although crucial for optimizing self-heating, self-sensing, and self-cleaning properties, the dispersion of CMs remains a critical knowledge gap, requiring focused research efforts. Therefore, this comprehensive review aims to elucidate the principles and mechanisms involving materials endowed with self-cleaning, self-sensing, and self-heating properties. Furthermore, it provides an overview of the current state of the art of the use of CMs in smart building materials and discusses the associated challenges and demands.