scholarly journals Time-Stability Dispersion of MWCNTs for the Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Portland Cement Specimens

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4149
Author(s):  
Laura M. Echeverry-Cardona ◽  
Natalia Álzate ◽  
Elisabeth Restrepo-Parra ◽  
Rogelio Ospina ◽  
Jorge H. Quintero-Orozco

This study shows the energy optimization and stabilization in the time of solutions composed of H2O + TX-100 + Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs), used to improve the mechanical properties of Portland cement pastes. For developing this research, sonication energies at 90, 190, 290, 340, 390, 440, 490 and 590 J/g are applied to a colloidal substance (MWCNTs/TX-100 + H2O) with a molarity of 10 mM. Raman spectroscopy analyses showed that, for energies greater than 440 J/g, there are ruptures and fragmentation of the MWCNTs; meanwhile at energies below 390 J/g, better dispersions are obtained. The stability of the dispersion over time was evaluated over 13 weeks using UV-vis spectroscopy and Zeta Potential. With the most relevant data collected, sonication energies of 190, 390 and 490 J/g, at 10 mM were selected at the first and the fourth week of storage to obtain Portland cement specimens. Finally, we found an improvement of the mechanical properties of the samples built with Portland cement and solutions stored for one and four weeks; it can be concluded that the MWCNTs improved the hydration period.

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5248
Author(s):  
Laura Silvestro ◽  
Artur Ruviaro ◽  
Geannina Lima ◽  
Paulo de Matos ◽  
Afonso R. G. de Azevedo ◽  
...  

The functionalization process usually increases the localized defects of carbon nanotubes (CNT). Thus, the ultrasonication parameters used for dispersing non-functionalized CNT should be carefully evaluated to verify if they are adequate in dispersing functionalized CNT. Although ultrasonication is widely used for non-functionalized CNT, the effect of this dispersing process of functionalized CNT has not been thoroughly investigated. Thus, this work investigated the effect of ultrasonication on functionalized CNT + superplasticizer (SP) aqueous dispersions by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Furthermore, Portland cement pastes with additions of 0.05% and 0.1% CNT by cement weight and ultrasonication amplitudes of 0%, 50% and 80% were evaluated through rheometry, isothermal calorimetry, compressive strength at 1, 7 and 28 days, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). FTIR results from CNT + SP dispersions indicated that ultrasonication may negatively affect SP molecules and CNT graphene structure. The increase in CNT content and amplitude of ultrasonication gradually increased the static and dynamic yield stress of paste but did not significantly affect its hydration kinetics. Compressive strength results indicated that the optimum CNT content was 0.05% by cement weight, which increased the strength of composite by up to 15.8% compared with the plain paste. CNT ultrasonication neither increases the degree of hydration of cement nor the mechanical performance of composite when compared with mixes containing unsonicated CNT. Overall, ultrasonication of functionalized CNT is not efficient in improving the fresh and hardened performance of cementitious composites.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-463
Author(s):  
J. E. L. de SIQUEIRA ◽  
P. J. P. GLEIZE

Abstract The excellent mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them a highly attractive material for use as reinforcement in cement composites. However, it is established that this nanomaterial presents a severe dispersion problem in cement matrices owing to its high specific surface area. An alternative method for dispersing the CNTs is the use of sonication in the presence of a superplasticizer admixture. However, high energy sonication can severely damage CNTs, which can affect their behavior in cement pastes. Thus, it is necessary to optimize the CNTs sonication parameters to optimize the performance of CNT-cement pastes. After sonication with different energies of CNTs water suspensions, the CNTs dispersion was evaluated through UV-Vis spectroscopy and the eventual CNTs damage observed by TEM. Workability, compressive and flexural strengths of the CNTs-cement pastes were also measured. The results revealed that the sonication parameters can be optimized to enhance the effect of CNTs on cement paste behavior.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kodanda Rama Rao Chebattina ◽  
V. Srinivas ◽  
N. Mohan Rao

The aim of the paper is to investigate the effect of size of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as additives for dispersion in gear oil to improve the tribological properties. Since long pristine MWCNTs tend to form clusters compromising dispersion stability, they are mildly processed in a ball mill to shorten the length and stabilized with a surfactant before dispersing in lubricant. Investigations are made to assess the effect of ball milling on the size and structure of MWCNTs using electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The long and shortened MWCNTs are dispersed in EP 140 gear oil in 0.5% weight. The stability of the dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes is evaluated using light scattering techniques. The antiwear, antifriction, and extreme pressure properties of test oils are evaluated on a four-ball wear tester. It is found that ball milling of MWCNTs has a strong effect on the stability and tribological properties of the lubricant. From Raman spectroscopy, it is found that ball milling time of up to 10 hours did not produce any defects on the surface of MWCNTs. The stability of the lubricant and the antiwear, antifriction, and extreme pressure properties have improved significantly with dispersion shortened MWCNTs. Ball milling for longer periods produces defects on the surface of MWCNTs reducing their advantage as oil additives.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1877
Author(s):  
Kai-Hung Yang ◽  
Gabriella Lindberg ◽  
Bram Soliman ◽  
Khoon Lim ◽  
Tim Woodfield ◽  
...  

Recent advances highlight the potential of photopolymerizable allylated gelatin (GelAGE) as a versatile hydrogel with highly tailorable properties. It is, however, unknown how different photoinitiating system affects the stability, gelation kinetics and curing depth of GelAGE. In this study, sol fraction, mass swelling ratio, mechanical properties, rheological properties, and curing depth were evaluated as a function of time with three photo-initiating systems: Irgacure 2959 (Ig2959; 320–500 nm), lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP; 320–500 nm), and ruthenium/sodium persulfate (Ru/SPS; 400–500 nm). Results demonstrated that GelAGE precursory solutions mixed with either Ig2959 or LAP remained stable over time while the Ru/SPS system enabled the onset of controllable redox polymerization without irradiation during pre-incubation. Photo-polymerization using the Ru/SPS system was significantly faster (<5 s) compared to both Ig2959 (70 s) and LAP (50 s). Plus, The Ru/SPS system was capable of polymerizing a thick construct (8.88 ± 0.94 mm), while Ig2959 (1.62 ± 0.49 mm) initiated hydrogels displayed poor penetration depth with LAP (7.38 ± 2.13 mm) in between. These results thus support the use of the visible light based Ru/SPS photo-initiator for constructs requiring rapid gelation and a good curing depth while Ig2959 or LAP can be applied for photo-polymerization of GelAGE materials requiring long-term incubation prior to application if UV is not a concern.


2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 450-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
El-Sayed Negim ◽  
Niyazbekova Rimma ◽  
Lyazzat Bekbayeva ◽  
Utelbayeva Akmaral ◽  
Bengin M. Herki ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 714 ◽  
pp. 86-89
Author(s):  
Jana Zahálková ◽  
Pavla Rovnaníková

The production of Portland cement is connected with high emissions of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, and the intensive consumption of energy and natural resources. The present trend is for the replacement of cement by reactive admixtures, which can include ground waste glass, a material which shows pozzolanic activity. This paper deals with the determination of the mechanical properties of cement pastes in which part of the cement mixture (5 to 30 %) was replaced by borosilicate glass. The process by which the hydration of the cement with ground glass began was monitored by an isothermal calorimeter.


2008 ◽  
Vol 1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Ciselli ◽  
Lan Lu ◽  
James JC Busfield ◽  
Ton Peijs

ABSTRACTElastomeric composites based on Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer (EPDM) filled with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been prepared, showing improved mechanical properties as compared to the pure EPDM matrix. The results have been discussed using the Guth model. The main focus of the study was on the electrical behavior of the nanocomposites, in view of possible sensor applications. A linear relation has been found between conductivity and deformations up to 10% strain, which means that such materials could be used for applications such as strain or pressure sensors. Cyclic experiments were conducted to establish whether the linear relation was reversible, which is an important requirement for sensor materials.


2015 ◽  
Vol 802 ◽  
pp. 112-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Yousefi ◽  
Norazura Muhamad Bunnori ◽  
Mehrnoush Khavarian ◽  
Taksiah A. Majid

The potential properties of carbon nanotube-cement based materials strongly depend on the dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) within the cement matrix and the bonding between CNTs and the hydrated cement. The homogeneous dispersion of CNTs in the cement matrix yet is one of the main challenges due to strong van der Waals forces between nanotubes. In this study, a polycarboxylic ether based superplasticizer and ultra-sonication technique was used for dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Portland cement concrete specimens with different concentrations of MWCNTs (0.04 and 0.1 % by the weight of cement), with and without the presence of superplasticizer were investigated. Compressive strength test results revealed a significant improvement in mechanical properties of sample containing 0.1 % MWCNTs and 0.2 % superplasticizer. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images of fractured surfaces of hardened specimens showed a good dispersion of MWCNTs within the cement matrix. This method was developed to facilitate the uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the cementitious concrete for better reinforcement in nanoscale and mechanical properties enhancement by transfer of load between the nanotubes and matrix.


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