A Review of the Effects of Nanomaterials on the Properties of Concrete

With the continuous improvement in technology, the construction industry is constantly advancing. Traditional concrete can no longer meet modern market demands, making research on new types of concrete imperative. This study reviews the application of common nanomaterials in concrete and their impac...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Qi Yang, Qiuwei Yang, Xi Peng, Kangshuo Xia, Bin Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/13/2363
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Summary:With the continuous improvement in technology, the construction industry is constantly advancing. Traditional concrete can no longer meet modern market demands, making research on new types of concrete imperative. This study reviews the application of common nanomaterials in concrete and their impact on concrete performance. It provides a detailed explanation of the characteristics of three common nanomaterials: nano-silica, nano-calcium carbonate, and carbon nanotubes. This study analyzes how these materials improve the microstructure, accelerate hydration reactions, and enhance interfacial transition zones, thereby enhancing the mechanical properties, durability, and workability of concrete. For conventional engineering projects, nano-calcium carbonate is the preferred choice owing to its low cost and its capacity to improve workability and early-age strength. For high-strength and durable structures, nano-silica is selected due to its high specific surface area (ranging from 100 to 800 m<sup data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">2</sup>/g) and its superior compactness and impermeability. In the context of intelligent buildings, carbon nanotubes are the most suitable option because of their exceptional thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity (with axial thermal conductivity reaching 2000–6000 W/m*K and electrical conductivity ranging from 10<sup data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">3</sup> to 10<sup data-eusoft-scrollable-element="1">6</sup> S/cm). However, it should be noted that carbon nanotubes are the most expensive among the three materials. Additionally, this study discusses the issues and challenges currently faced by the application of nanomaterials in concrete and looks ahead to future research directions, aiming to provide a reference for further research and engineering applications of nanomaterials in the field of concrete.
ISSN:2075-5309