A bacteria-based bead for possible self-healing marine concrete applications. (15th July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Palin, D; Wiktor, V; Jonkers, H M
• Is Part Of: Smart materials and structures. Volume 25:Number 8(2016:Aug.)
• Publication Date: 2016-07-15
• Subjects: biocomposite -- alginate -- marine environment -- low-temperature -- self-healing concrete -- bacteria; Smart materials -- Periodicals; Strucural design -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/0964-1726/25/8/084008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-1726

Abstract

Abstract: This work presents a bacteria-based bead for potential self-healing concrete applications in low-temperature marine environments. The bead consisting of calcium alginate encapsulated bacterial spores and mineral precursor compounds was assessed for: oxygen consumption, swelling, and its ability to form a biocomposite in a simulative marine concrete crack solution (SMCCS) at 8 °C. After six days immersion in the SMCCS the bacteria-based beads formed a calcite crust on their surface and calcite inclusions in their network, resulting in a calcite–alginate biocomposite. Beads swelled by 300% to a maximum diameter of 3 mm, while theoretical calculations estimate that 0.112 g of the beads were able to produce ∼1 mm 3 of calcite after 14 days immersion; providing the bead with considerable crack healing potential. The bacteria-based bead shows great potential for the development of self-healing concrete in low-temperature marine environments, while the formation of a biocomposite healing material represents an exciting avenue for self-healing concrete research.