Nano-Inclusions Applied in Cement-Matrix Composites: a Review
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materials Review Nano-Inclusions Applied in Cement-Matrix Composites: A Review Guillermo Bastos 1, Faustino Patiño-Barbeito 1,*, Faustino Patiño-Cambeiro 2 and Julia Armesto 3 1 Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Rúa Conde de Torrecedeira 86, 36208 Vigo, Spain; [email protected] 2 Centro de Ciências Exatas e Tecnológicas, Centro Universitário Univates, Rua Avelino Tallini 171, Lajeado RS 95900-000, Brazil; [email protected] 3 Mining Engineering School, University of Vigo, Campus as Lagoas Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +34-986-813-698 Academic Editor: Mady Elbahri Received: 21 October 2016; Accepted: 9 December 2016; Published: 16 December 2016 Abstract: Research on cement-based materials is trying to exploit the synergies that nanomaterials can provide. This paper describes the findings reported in the last decade on the improvement of these materials regarding, on the one hand, their mechanical performance and, on the other hand, the new properties they provide. These features are mainly based on the electrical and chemical characteristics of nanomaterials, thus allowing cement-based elements to acquire “smart” functions. In this paper, we provide a quantitative approach to the reinforcements achieved to date. The fundamental concepts of nanoscience are introduced and the need of both sophisticated devices to identify nanostructures and techniques to disperse nanomaterials in the cement paste are also highlighted. Promising results have been obtained, but, in order to turn these advances into commercial products, technical, social and standardisation barriers should be overcome. From the results collected, it can be deduced that nanomaterials are able to reduce the consumption of cement because of their reinforcing effect, as well as to convert cement-based products into electric/thermal sensors or crack repairing materials. The main obstacle to foster the implementation of such applications worldwide is the high cost of their synthesis and dispersion techniques, especially for carbon nanotubes and graphene oxide. Keywords: Nanotechnology; graphene; cement matrix; smart structures; functionalization; inclusions; concrete 1. Introduction The improvement of concrete properties through its interaction with admixtures has been the focus of attention since its emergence as a construction material. Apart from steel reinforcing bars, different embedded admixtures have been added to cement composites to primarily improve their mechanical performance [1]. In more recent times, nanoadmixtures have also been attracting the widespread interest of researchers due to their capability not only to further improve several mechanical properties of cement-based materials, but also to provide new properties that may lead to a wide range of potential applications. These materials include concrete, mortar and cement paste, which are used in structural elements, pavements, and finishing and repairing products [2,3]. In the last two decades, research on the study and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale has been expanding exponentially, supported by the advances achieved in visualising technologies, such as the atomic force microscope, scanning tunnelling microscope and focused ion beam lithography [4]. This expansion is also corroborated by the acceleration in the proliferation of scientific literature published all around the world [5], as a result of a research race between the world powers [6]. Materials 2016, 9, 1015; doi:10.3390/ma9121015 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials Materials 2016, 9, 1015 2 of 30 Materials 2016, 9, 1015 2 of 30 world powers [6]. However, investments seem to partially neglect the construction sector to date, since few nanotech applications are currently in implementation. The situation is even more critical However,in the fields investments of sustainable seem toconstruction partially neglect [7,8] theand construction environmental sector applications to date, since [9], few despite nanotech the applicationsdemonstrated are benefits currently in water in implementation. treatment [10], The soil situationand water is evenremediation more critical [11,12], in self-cleaning the fields of sustainableconcrete and construction glass surfaces, [7,8] andphotovoltaic environmental coatings applications [13], or electrochr [9], despiteomic the windows—which demonstrated benefits may inpotentially water treatment provide [heating,10], soil andcooling water and remediation lighting savings [11,12 [14].], self-cleaning concrete and glass surfaces, photovoltaicAs far as coatings the construction [13], or electrochromic industry is concerned, windows—which it is obvious may that potentially this sector provide faces heating,certain coolingobstacles and to lightingthe penetration savings [14of]. new materials and technologies. Within this highly fragmented industry,As far new as theknowledge construction is still industry basedis on concerned, empirical it approaches, is obvious thatas construction this sector faces works certain are obstacleslong-term to processes the penetration whichof involve new materials high investments. and technologies. In such Within conditions, this highly construction fragmented companies industry, newusually knowledge avoid risks is still that based are inherent on empirical to research approaches, and tend as constructionto be reluctant works to use are materials long-term that processes are not whichspecifically involve listed high in investments. official construction In such conditions, Codes [7,8]. construction Consequently, companies investment usually efforts avoid involving risks that arenanotechnology inherent to research are mostly and focused tend to beon reluctanthigher profit to use areas, materials such that as electr are notonics, specifically IT (information listed in officialtechnology) construction and health Codes [15,16]. [7,8]. Consequently, investment efforts involving nanotechnology are mostly focusedDespite on higher the modest profit resources areas, such allocated as electronics, to construc IT (informationtion research, technology) some recent and findings health [regarding15,16]. cementDespite matrix the reinforced modest resources with nanoinclusions allocated to constructionpoint to a noticeable research, improvement some recent findings in the mechanical regarding cementperformance matrix and reinforced durability with of nanoinclusions the hardened pointceme tont-matrix a noticeable composite. improvement Additionally, in the mechanical it can be performanceprovided with and smart durability features of theby hardenedvirtue of cement-matrixits physical characteristics, composite. Additionally, either through it can its be dispersion provided withinto the smart cement features matrix by or virtue by being of its applied physical as coatings characteristics, on the cement either through matrix surface. its dispersion into the cementThis matrix paper or collects by being the applied key findings as coatings regarding on the all cement the aforementioned matrix surface. functionalities derived fromThis the combination paper collects of the the key most findings studied regarding nanomateri all theals aforementionedwith the cement functionalities matrix. Besides, derived it gathers from the combinationmost updated of information the most studied with nanomaterialsregard to the re withsults the concerning cement matrix. the strengthening Besides, it gathers of the the cement most updatedmatrix. In information order to illustrate with regard the evolution to the results of this concerning field, a bibliometric the strengthening study has of been the conducted cement matrix. (see InFigure order 1). to Although illustrate therelevant evolution studies of this were field, publishe a bibliometricd at the studybeginning has beenof the conducted 21st century, (see FigureFigure1 ).1 Althoughreveals that relevant the scientific studies wereliterature published has atsignificantly the beginning increased of the 21st in century,the last Figuredecade.1 revealsTherefore, that thethe scientificauthors have literature mainly has focused significantly on the increasedfindings reported in the last in decade. this period, Therefore, paying the special authors attention have mainly to the focusedlast two onyears. the findings reported in this period, paying special attention to the last two years. Figure 1. NumberNumber of of published papers that, according to Scopus, include the terms cement and nanotechnology or nanomaterials in the title, abstract or keywords, limited to the fieldsfields of engineering and materials science. At the beginning of the research expansion of nano-modified cement composites, Sobolev et al. At the beginning of the research expansion of nano-modified cement composites, Sobolev et al. published a pioneering two-part review [17,18] on this field. In their work, they paid special published a pioneering two-part review [17,18] on this field. In their work, they paid special attention attention to nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as Balaguru et al. also did in their review to nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), as Balaguru et al. also did in their review published in published in the same year [19]. At that early stage of research, other papers that investigated the same year [19]. At that early stage of research, other papers that investigated cement composites cement composites containing specific inclusions attracted the attention of the scientific community containing