Self Compacting Cementitious Mortar Using Carbon Nanotubes in Conjunction with Graphite Nanoplatelets

Abstract

Despite their exceptional strength as filler material in the cementitious system, graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are nowadays considered to be as, one of reinforcing materials due to its unique ultra-properties. The intended role of using GNPs is to facilitate the dispersion of CNTs in aqueous solution and to investigate the synergistic effects of hybrid CNTs/GNPs in self-compacting cementations mortar. This paper reports the performance of hybrid CNTs/GNPs in cementations composite in term of physical, mechanical properties, fracture toughness, sulfate attack and microstructural behavior. The dispersion technique, compressive strength, water absorption, fracture toughness, rheological properties and durability test like sulfate attack of cement mortar reinforced with different concentration of CNTs/GNPs ranging from 0 to 0.08% by weight of cement were investigated in detail. The intrusion of these graphite nanomaterials (GNMs) reveals a substantial increase in flexural strength (173%), compressive strength (53%), young modulus (96%), flexural toughness (417%) and modulus of rupture. This discussion suggests that using these nanomaterials as reinforcing not only enhances the microstructure but also they can be used as multifunction.