Durable cement/cellulose nanofiber composites prepared by a facile approach. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oh, Jeong-A; Aakyiir, Mathias; Liu, Yue; Qiu, Aidong; Meola, Tahlia R.; Forson, Philip; Araby, Sherif; Zhuge, Yan; Lee, Sang-Heon; Ma, Jun
• Is Part Of: Cement & concrete composites. Volume 125(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Cement nanocomposites -- Cellulose nanofibers -- Nanoscale dispersion -- Durability -- Reinforcement -- Porosity; Composite-reinforced concrete -- Periodicals; Concrete -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composites de ciment -- Périodiques; Béton -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Béton léger -- Périodiques; Cement composites; Composite materials; Composite-reinforced concrete; Concrete; Lightweight concrete; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.135
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2021.104321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-9465

Abstract

Abstract: This study developed a facile methodology for preparation of nanoscale dispersion of cellulose nanofibers (CNFs). A suite of methodologies was proposed for the first time to gauge the dispersion quality of CNFs, which was crucial to the subsequent compounding with cement to prepare nanocomposites. Being compatible with cement through interfacial bonding between –COO - of CNFs and Ca 2+ of cement, CNFs improved the compressive strength of cement by 18% at 0.096 wt% and flexural strength by 21% at 0.480 wt%. Reinforcing mechanisms were explained in terms of the hydration, pore structure and morphologies of the nanocomposites. CNFs at 0.096 wt% significantly decreased the pore volume of cement from 72.66 mm 3 /g to 51.39 mm 3 /g and reduced the cement water absorption from 17.23% to 10.60%, which was attributed to the enhanced microstructural densification and pore-size refinement. Highlights: The nanoscale dispersion of CNFs in water was achieved by using high-speed mixing. The dispersion quality of CNFs posed a significant effect on the structure and properties of the resulting nanocomposites. The reinforcing mechanisms were explained from perspectives of hydration and pore volumes. CNFs are promising green materials for development of strong and durable cement nanocomposites.