Abstract
The present study is focused on the development and characterization of innovative cementitious-based composite sensors. In particular, multifunctional cement mortars with enhanced piezoresistive properties are realized by exploiting the concept of confinement of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) in a three-dimensional percolated network through the use of a natural-rubber latex aqueous dispersion. The manufactured cement-based composites were characterized by means of Inelastic Neutron Scattering to assess the hydration reactions and the interactions between natural rubber and the hydrated-cement phases and by Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray diffraction to evaluate the morphological and mineralogical structure, respectively. Piezo-resistive properties to assess electro-mechanical behavior in strain condition are also measured. The results show that the presence of natural rubber latex allows to obtain a three-dimensional rGO/MWCNTs segregate structure which catalyzes the formation of hydrated phases of the cement and increases the piezo-resistive sensitivity of mortar composites, representing a reliable approach in developing innovative mortar-based piezoresistive strain sensors.
Highlights
The present study is focused on the development and characterization of innovative cementitiousbased composite sensors
This brings to the conclusion that the average structure and dynamics of hydrogen within the mortars is not affected by the inclusion of reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO), Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), and Natural rubber (NR) at the investigated concentrations
Cement-based composites with a rGO/MWCNTs well-distributed morphology were prepared by using an innovative approach consisting of assembling carbonaceous fillers onto NR latex particles with subsequent addition in the cement matrix
Summary
The present study is focused on the development and characterization of innovative cementitiousbased composite sensors. Since most of the mortar and concrete damages occur in cement-based binding materials, it is possible to improve them by tracing back to their chemical and mechanical defects, designing more effective micron and sub-micron structures by exploiting the potentials of nanoparticles[1,2] In this respect, the development of cement-based composites by using carbonaceous fillers (i.e. Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), Graphene and/or its derivatives) able to strengthen the structure of cement hydrated phases, and enabling the achievement of additional functionalities including the piezo-resistive properties useful for realizing strain sensors for the structural health monitoring of buildings, is a very topical issue, still to be fully explored[3,4]. Han et al.[8] added both CNTs and carbon black into cement mortars enhancing their electrical conductivity and endowing them of stable and sensitive piezoresistivity
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