A review on characteristics studies on carbon nanotubes-based cement concrete

Concrete has played an important part in the building sector since the dawn of time. Aggregates, cement, and water, with or without admixtures, make up this composite material. Nanomaterials can be utilised to make high-strength concrete with strong binding and self-healing properties. Various nanomaterials are available in the industry nowadays. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) are highly recommended because of their high-strength behaviour with limited percentage addition of carbon nanotubes. CNTs are made of carbon with a size normally estimated in nanometers. Two different varieties of CNTs are single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). It reduces cracking, permeability, scaling, and maintenance and improves abra-sion resistance, service life, strength, durability and self-sensing properties. CNTs are considered new nanoscale materials in the construction industry because of their fascinating properties like mechanical behaviour, high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, stable chemical nature, and high thermal behaviour. Fracture energy and toughness get increased by the addition of small quantities of CNTs. The main properties reviewed in this paper include dispersion features of CNTs, microstructure analysis, compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength. Further to suggests nano concrete incorporated with CNTs is one of the alternate high-strength con-cretes in the construction industry in the future.

Automated summary

Concrete, composed of aggregates, cement, water, and possible admixtures, has been crucial in the construction industry throughout history. The integration of nanomaterials, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNTs), has facilitated the development of high-strength concrete with enhanced binding properties and the ability to self-heal. These CNTs, which consist of carbon and have nanometer-scale dimensions, offer various benefits such as reduced cracking, permeability, and maintenance, as well as improved durability, strength, and self-sensing capabilities. Their addition also enhances fracture energy and toughness. This paper investigates the dispersion characteristics, microstructure analysis, compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength of CNT-incorporated nano concrete, suggesting its potential as an alternative high-strength concrete in the construction industry.