In recent years, nanotechnology has been applied to building materials, such as cementitious composites (e.g., mortar and concrete), to improve their properties. The aim of this study was to analyze the thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of mortars with and without silicon-dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles. Experiments such as thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fresh density, incorporated-air content, bulk density, capillary absorption, capillarity coefficient, flexural tensile strength, and compressive strength on prismatic specimens were performed on mortars and analyzed for different levels of nanosilica (nS). These levels were 1% and 3%, in addition to the reference mortar (0% nS). The TG-DTA curves showed an elevated content of chemically combined water and a lower content of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in the 3% nS compositions, while the XRD curves presented a lower content of calcite and portlandite in the same mortar. These results indicate the fixation capacity of lime for the formation of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), which is the primary cause of resistance in cementitious mortars. In addition, it was found that the use of nanosilica contributed to a fresh density increase of approximately 15%, which caused a minimum air-incorporated content decrease of 37% and a minimum bulk density increase of 10%. Higher densities resulted in a minimum water absorption reduction of 36%, owing to fewer pores in the mortars. Therefore, the capillarity coefficient decreased by a minimum of 41%. These nanoparticles also improved the minimum flexural tensile and compressive strengths by 88% and 158%, respectively, when using a 3% nS composition. These results can enable the use of lightweight aggregates in cementitious composites, improving their physical and mechanical characteristics and allowing greater reuse of these materials, including construction waste.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.