Effect of CaCO3 nanoparticles on the microstructure and fracture toughness of ceramic nanocomposites

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of using calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles on the microstructural properties, flexural strength and fracture toughness of ceramic nanomaterials. The flexural strength and fracture toughness were evaluated for CaCO3 nanoparticle contents of 1%, 2%, and 3% by weight of cement powder. The microstructural analyses from X-ray diffraction showed that nano-CaCO3 improved the microstructure of nanocomposites because it reduces the tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate peaks and increases the calcium silicate hydrate products. Moreover, the results showed that the nanocomposites with 1 wt% nano-CaCO3 exhibited the maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness compared to the other composites owing to the filler and nucleation effect of nano-CaCO3. In addition, nano-CaCO3 could resist the unstable micro-crack propagation in cement nanocomposites by filling the micro-cracks and voids. Future applications in synthesis or steel fiber-reinforced concrete or ceramic nanocomposites could benefit from the use of the analyses presented in this study.