Title:
NanoCarbon Black in UHPC – Effect on Conductivity and Mechanical Properties
Author(s):
Nancy Soliman
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_F23_NancySoliman.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
10/29/2023
Abstract:
The emergence of multifunctional cement-based materials in the construction industry has the potential to shift the paradigm from strength-only performance to new functionalities enabled by electron conducting capabilities in one of the most material- and energy-intensive industry sectors worldwide. To enable such developments, we present results of an experimental investigation of the electrical conductivity and resistive (Joule) heating of UHPC–nanocarbon (nCB) composites. We found that the nCB inside the cement matrix creates a volumetric wiring enabling an electrical conductivity permeating a highly heterogeneous cement matrix starting at a given percolation dosage of the nCB. The study revealed that increasing the nCB dosage to achieve higher conductivity compromises the mechanical performance of the cement matrix and this should be optimized. An explanation for the mechanical performance loss was examined using XRD and the through determination of friction between matrix layers. Harvesting the benefits of electron conducting cement-based materials, such as resistive heating, electromagnetic shielding, and energy storage, will ultimately be beneficial for the achieving the sustainability in concrete industry. Given the global environmental footprint of concrete, the results open venues for the sustainable development of concrete for existing and emerging green technology applications.