Abstract
Given the continued challenge of dispersion, for practical purposes, it is of interest to evaluate the impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at different states of clustering on the eventual performance properties of cement paste. This study evaluated the clustering of MWCNTs and the resultant effect on the mechanical and electrical properties when incorporated into cement paste. Cement pastes containing different concentrations of MWCNTs (up to 0.5% by mass of cement) with/without surfactant were characterized. MWCNT clustering was assessed qualitatively in an aqueous solution through visual observation, and quantitatively in cement matrices using a scanning electron microscopy technique. Additionally, the corresponding 28-day compressive strength, tensile strength, and electrical conductivity were measured. Results showed that the use of surfactant led to a downward shift in the MWCNT clustering size distribution in the matrices of MWCNT/cement paste, indicating improved dispersion of MWCNTs. The compressive strength, tensile strength, and electrical conductivity of the composites with surfactant increased with MWCNT concentration and were higher than those without surfactant at all concentrations.
Highlights
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have superior mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties compared to other carbon-based materials [1,2,3]
We have have demonstrated demonstrated the influence of CNT clustering in both aqueous solution and cement matrices; and on the mechanical mechanical and and electrical electrical properties properties of ofMWCNT/cement
The surfactant was found to reduce the clustering of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in cement matrices compared to MWCNT/cement was found to reduce the clustering of MWCNTs in cement matrices compared to MWCNT/cement composites without surfactant, based on visual evaluation and measurement of average aggregate diameter of MWCNTs in cement matrices through SEM
Summary
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have superior mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties compared to other carbon-based materials [1,2,3]. There has been much research progress in the field of civil engineering on the utilization of MWCNTs to enhance mechanical [4,6], thermal [7,8], and electrical properties [9,10,11] for the development of multi-functional cement-based composites. For practical purposes, it is of interest to evaluate the impact of MWCNTs at different states of aggregation/dispersion on the eventual performance properties of cement-based materials. The present study investigated the dispersion of MWCNTs in both aqueous and cement-based systems, and the resultant effects on mechanical and electrical properties when incorporated into cement composites for potential application as multi-functional materials. The effect of surfactant, and subsequently degree of MWCNT clustering, on each of these properties is discussed
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