Modification of cement concrete by multi-walled carbon nanotubes
1
Yakovlev G.I., 1Pervushin G.N., 2Korzhenko A. Dr., 1Maeva I.S.
1
Izhevsk Kalashnikov State Technical University, Studencheskaya Str., 7, Izhevsk, 426069, Russia
2
Groupement de Recherche de Lacq, “Arkema”, Pau, France
[email protected]
Abstract
The concrete with compact structure on the basis of Portland cement modified by the dispersion of
multilayer carbon nanotubes GraphistrengthTM by Arkema (Fig. 1) is investigated. The change in the
structure of cement stone in the process of concrete setting and hardening when introducing carbon
nanotubes into the concrete composition is observed. The improvement of concrete characteristics is
connected with the change in the morphology of crystalline hydrate new formations providing the
formation of low defect structure of the cement matrix with elevated density. The structural changes in
the cement matrix are considered with the methods of physic-chemical analysis [1].
It is shown when the cement stone is modified by carbon nanotubes, more high-basic calcium
hydrosilicates structured along the solid phase surface are formed in the cement stone with the
formation of dense shells which produce the highly durable spatial frame combining all the concrete
components into the conglomerate with improved physical and technical properties [2], including the
increased durability and frost resistance.
The structuring of cement matrix after adding carbon nanotubes dispersion leads to the formation of
a dense coating from 1 to 5 µm thick with the morphology of crystallohydrates perpendicularly oriented
to the solid phase surface (Fig. 1).
The conducted testing of the modified concrete from the experimental batch of concrete poles showed
an increase of the frost resistance of the concrete from F150 to F400 (Fig. 2), the strength by 46% and
the water resistance from W6 to W14 and the enhancement of its fracture toughness [3].
The presented results of the physical and mechanical properties of concrete lead to the increased
durability of concrete products. Cement concretes modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes
dispersion were produced during the manufacturing of experimental-industrial batch of presstressed
concrete poles for HV power lines of 0.4-10 kV and 9 meters length.
References
[1] Yakovlev, G.; Lushnikova, A.; Pervushin, G.; Khasanov, O. Modification of cement matrixes with
carbon nanotubes, in Proc. of the XIII ICCC Internatonal Congress on the Chemistry of Cement, 3-8
Jule, 2011, Madrid, Spain: 304, (CD)
[2] Yakovlev, G.I.; Pervushin, G.N.; Pudov, I.A.; Dulesova, I.G.; Buryanov, A.F.; Saber, M. Structuring
cement binding matrices with multi-walled carbon nanotubes, Construction materials, 2011 (11): 2224 (in Russian)
[3] Korzhenko, A.; Havel, M.; Gaillard, P.; Yakovlev, G.I.; Pervuchin, G.N.; Oreshkin, D.V. 2012.
Procede D’introduction de nanocharges carbonees dans un inorganique durcissable, Patent №
2 969 143. C 04 B 16/12 (2012.01), C 04 B 28/00. Bulletin 12/25 pub. 22.06.12.
Figures
а)
b)
Fig. 1. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes in carboxymethyl cellulose medium (CW2-45): (а) – aggregates
subjected, (b) – separate nanotubes glued
a)
b)
Fig. 2. Morphology of new formations in interphase layer on the aggregate boundary: (a) - friable
cement matrix without carbon nanotubes, (b) – modified cement matrix
а)
b)
Fig. 3. Microstructure of dense cement concrete after the frost resistance test: (a) – reference sample
with frost resistance index of F150, (b) – test sample of concrete with carbon nanotubes (frost
resistance F400)