Nanotechnology can make concrete more sustainable
Additives for improving the sustainability and mechanical properties of cement materials
Nanotechnology holds the potential to enhance fundamental construction materials like cement, concrete, and steel. The addition of nanoparticles into traditional construction materials can induce new properties that make materials not only stronger and more durable but also possessing self-healing, air-purifying, fire-resistant, easy-to-clean properties, and more rapid compacting. Some additives are even photocatalytically active, inducing self-cleaning properties on concrete.
Importantly, the addition of nanomaterials has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions from the construction industry, by increasing material lifespan, improving durability and resistance, and by making materials stronger using less material. This is an important feat, because buildings and the construction industry account for near 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The cement industry is one of the most energy-intensive industrial sub-sectors, accounting for almost 15% of the total energy consumed by manufacturing. On average, to produce one ton of cement, 3.4 GJ of thermal energy (in a dry process) and 110 kWh of electrical energy are used up. Furthermore, manufacturing a ton of cement releases 0.73–0.99 tons of CO2. In particular, additives that have shown promise include graphene, nano silica, metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers.
The mechanical characteristics of concrete materials are heavily influenced by structural elements and phenomena operating on both micro and nanoscales. The size of the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) phase, which is the primary contributor to strength and other properties in cementitious systems, falls within the range of a few nanometers. The C-S-H structure closely resembles clay, featuring thin layers of solids separated by gel pores filled with interlayer and adsorbed water. This resemblance has a substantial impact on concrete performance, as the structure is responsive to moisture movement, occasionally leading to shrinkage and subsequent cracking if adjustments in element sizes are not implemented. Consequently, the field of nanotechnology holds promise in potentially enhancing concrete properties by optimizing material behaviour and performance, thereby significantly improving mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability.
The enhancement of concrete properties can be achieved by incorporating nanofine particles, primarily through the increased surface area's impact on reactivity and the filling of nanopores within the cement paste. Nanomaterials also exhibit the potential to elevate compressive strength and ductility in concrete. Carbon nanomaterials can serve as bridges across voids and cracks, ensuring load transfer in tension.
Several studies have highlighted significant advancements: the addition of graphene increased concrete's flexural strength by more than 40%. Impressively, certain studies demonstrated an elevation of up to 79.5% in flexural strength. Simultaneously, investigations into the environmental footprints of graphene synthesis and its integration into concrete have shed light on potential significant reductions in carbon emissions, highlighting promising prospects for enhanced sustainability.
Ultra-high-performance concretes (UHPC), prevalent in both current practices and research literature, are often developed through nanomodification or the use of admixtures created with nanotechnology methods. Various applications of nanotechnology in concrete include modifying cement properties through nanomodification, altering the cement paste itself with admixtures, and influencing the concrete mixture through the application of nanoporous thin film (NPTF) coatings on aggregates.
Furthermore, the durability of concrete can be enhanced by reducing permeability and improving shrinkage properties, achieved through the use of nanomodified cements or incorporating nanodeveloped additives into the paste.
Kivoro’s Cement Enhancer is a line of specialty chemicals created to optimise material performance, sustainability, efficiency and reduction of environmental impact by utilizing novel technologies in the cement industry. It is an admixture that improves the performance of concrete, increases long term sustainability and reduces required maintenance. A longer lifetime of structures is expected, with confirmed improvements shown in the table below.
Kivoro Cement Enhancer admixtures are high-performance additives that are entirely ready to use, safe and easy to handle, water-dispersed and compatible with all cementitious materials. Kivoro collaborates closely with clients to develop optimal custom solutions for each application.
Nanotechnology holds the potential to enhance fundamental construction materials like cement, concrete, and steel. The addition of nanoparticles into traditional construction materials can induce new properties that make materials not only stronger and more durable but also possessing self-healing, air-purifying, fire-resistant, easy-to-clean properties, and more rapid compacting. Some additives are even photocatalytically active, inducing self-cleaning properties on concrete.
Importantly, the addition of nanomaterials has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions from the construction industry, by increasing material lifespan, improving durability and resistance, and by making materials stronger using less material. This is an important feat, because buildings and the construction industry account for near 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions. The cement industry is one of the most energy-intensive industrial sub-sectors, accounting for almost 15% of the total energy consumed by manufacturing. On average, to produce one ton of cement, 3.4 GJ of thermal energy (in a dry process) and 110 kWh of electrical energy are used up. Furthermore, manufacturing a ton of cement releases 0.73–0.99 tons of CO2. In particular, additives that have shown promise include graphene, nano silica, metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers.
The mechanical characteristics of concrete materials are heavily influenced by structural elements and phenomena operating on both micro and nanoscales. The size of the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) phase, which is the primary contributor to strength and other properties in cementitious systems, falls within the range of a few nanometers. The C-S-H structure closely resembles clay, featuring thin layers of solids separated by gel pores filled with interlayer and adsorbed water. This resemblance has a substantial impact on concrete performance, as the structure is responsive to moisture movement, occasionally leading to shrinkage and subsequent cracking if adjustments in element sizes are not implemented. Consequently, the field of nanotechnology holds promise in potentially enhancing concrete properties by optimizing material behaviour and performance, thereby significantly improving mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability.
The enhancement of concrete properties can be achieved by incorporating nanofine particles, primarily through the increased surface area's impact on reactivity and the filling of nanopores within the cement paste. Nanomaterials also exhibit the potential to elevate compressive strength and ductility in concrete. Carbon nanomaterials can serve as bridges across voids and cracks, ensuring load transfer in tension.
Several studies have highlighted significant advancements: the addition of graphene increased concrete's flexural strength by more than 40%. Impressively, certain studies demonstrated an elevation of up to 79.5% in flexural strength. Simultaneously, investigations into the environmental footprints of graphene synthesis and its integration into concrete have shed light on potential significant reductions in carbon emissions, highlighting promising prospects for enhanced sustainability.
Ultra-high-performance concretes (UHPC), prevalent in both current practices and research literature, are often developed through nanomodification or the use of admixtures created with nanotechnology methods. Various applications of nanotechnology in concrete include modifying cement properties through nanomodification, altering the cement paste itself with admixtures, and influencing the concrete mixture through the application of nanoporous thin film (NPTF) coatings on aggregates.
Furthermore, the durability of concrete can be enhanced by reducing permeability and improving shrinkage properties, achieved through the use of nanomodified cements or incorporating nanodeveloped additives into the paste.
Kivoro’s Cement Enhancer is a line of specialty chemicals created to optimise material performance, sustainability, efficiency and reduction of environmental impact by utilizing novel technologies in the cement industry. It is an admixture that improves the performance of concrete, increases long term sustainability and reduces required maintenance. A longer lifetime of structures is expected, with confirmed improvements shown in the table below.
Kivoro Cement Enhancer admixtures are high-performance additives that are entirely ready to use, safe and easy to handle, water-dispersed and compatible with all cementitious materials. Kivoro collaborates closely with clients to develop optimal custom solutions for each application.