Modification of microstructure and mechanical properties of cement by nanoparticles through a sustainable development approach

Nowadays, sustainable development policies seek solutions to reduce environmental pollution. In this regard, the combined effects of different percentages of nano-Montmorillonite and nano-Titanium (nano-MT) particles on the improvement of mechanical and microstructural properties of hardened cement considering managerial and environmental aspects of reducing cement consumption are evaluated in this study. The replacement ratios of Portland cement with the same weight of nano-MT particles are 1, 2 and 3 weight percent (wt%). The mechanical properties of cement mortar and microstructural properties of hardened cement paste were investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The results show that replacement of cement with nano-MT particles up to 1 wt% as an optimum percentage can improve microstructure and mechanical properties of cement significantly. Moreover, using nano-particles is one of the efficient approaches to reach sustainable development in construction industry that can contribute to decrease the pollution caused by cement production and consumption. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.