Influence of Carbon Nanotubes on Building Materials

Abstract

In this study, a modified solid-phase pyrolysis procedure was used to create multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Using ultrasonic energy without and with surfactant for two distinct sonication durations (15 min and 40 min), the MWCNTs are successfully disseminated. The impact of MWCNT concentration (0.001, 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1 wt%) on the compressive strengths of cement mortars has been explored in the current work. At ages 7 and 28, compression tests were performed on an automated pressure machine (C089) using a 0.5 kN/s loading rate. It is demonstrated that the ideal concentration of nanotubes does not exist for 15 minutes of sonication, but the optimal concentration for 40 minutes of sonication, both with and without surfactant, is 0.01%. Additionally, the specimen's strength throughout 7 days of hardening rose by 13% in the absence of surfactants and by 19.5% in their presence. After 28 days of curing, the compressive strength improved by 6.3% and 13.8%, respectively.