Abstract
Abstract Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been added in the plain cementitious materials to manufacture composites with the higher mechanical properties and smart behavior. The uniform distributions of MWCNTs is critical to obtain the desired enhancing effect, which, however, is challenged by the high ionic strength of the cement pore solution. Here, the effects of methylcellulose (MC) on stabilizing the dispersion of MWCNTs in the simulated cement pore solution and the viscosity of MWCNT suspensions werestudied. Further observations on the distributions of MWCNTs in the ternary cementitious composites were conducted. The results showed that MC forms a membranous envelope surrounding MWCNTs, which inhibits the adsorption of cations and maintains the steric repulsion between MWCNTs; thus, the stability of MWCNT dispersion in cement-based composites is improved. MC can also work as a viscosity adjuster that retards the Brownian mobility of MWCNTs, reducing their re-agglomerate within a period. MC with an addition ratio of 0.018 wt.% is suggested to achieve the optimum dispersion stabilizing effect. The findings here provide a way for stabilizing the other dispersed nano-additives in the cementitious composites.
Highlights
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been added in the plain cementitious materials to manufacture composites with the higher mechanical properties and smart behavior
The results showed that MC forms a membranous envelope surrounding MWCNTs, which inhibits the adsorption of cations and maintains the steric repulsion between MWCNTs; the stability of MWCNT dispersion in cement-based composites is improved
This study shows MC, with a moderate addition, can forms a membranous envelope surrounding MWCNTs that inhibits the adsorption of cations, maintaining the steric repulsion, and works as viscosity modifier that retards the Brownian mobility of MWCNTs, which enhance the resistance of MWCNTs to the re-agglomeration within a period
Summary
Abstract: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been added in the plain cementitious materials to manufacture composites with the higher mechanical properties and smart behavior. The effects of methylcellulose (MC) on stabilizing the dispersion of MWCNTs in the simulated cement pore solution and the viscosity of MWCNT suspensions were studied. The stabilizing effects of different dosages of MC on the dispersion of MWCNTs in the simulated cementitious pore solution were identified by measuring the Zeta potential of MWCNT suspensions and the hydrodynamic diameter of the agglomerates [22]. This study shows MC, with a moderate addition, can forms a membranous envelope surrounding MWCNTs that inhibits the adsorption of cations, maintaining the steric repulsion, and works as viscosity modifier that retards the Brownian mobility of MWCNTs, which enhance the resistance of MWCNTs to the re-agglomeration within a period. Findings provide a method for maintaining the stable dispersion of other nano-additives in alkaline cementitious environments
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