The impact of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the mechanical and environmental properties of porous concrete in removing pollutants for use in surface runoffs

Abstract

Surface water is commonly acknowledged as the most polluted among the several water sources available. The principal pollutants consist of various industrial toxins, organic dyes, and heavy metals, specifically found in surface runoffs. The potential for enhancing water quality through the extraction of pollutants from runoff appears promising with the implementation of porous concrete, in conjunction with other additives. This study investigates the impact of varying quantities of coarse and fine aggregates, with variable water-to-cement ratios, on the mechanical properties of concrete. Furthermore, the effectiveness of MWCNT in the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the dye pollutant methylene blue via surface absorption and production cost are examined in this research. The results reveal that the MWCNT had significant effectiveness in removing COD and dye pollutants from surface runoff water. The greatest rate of COD removal observed was 71.34 %, while the maximum percentage of dye removal was 91.89 %. In addition, the integration of MWCNTs into the porous concrete matrix yielded improved mechanical characteristics, indicating a positive influence of this addition. Concerning the cost of samples, the inclusion of MWCNT resulted in an increase in the overall cost. However, the utilization of porous concrete pavements offers a promising prospect for cost savings, and with advancements in water purification and mechanical qualities, this method has considerable benefits.