Recent Trends of Reinforcement of Cement with Carbon Nanotubes and Fibers

Abstract

Recent achievements in the area of formation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nanocomposites, with cement are reviewed. The peculiarities of dispersion of CNTs in cementitious matrices are discussed, paying major attention to the CNT diameter, length and length-to-diameter ratio, concentration, functionalization, annealing, combination with other nanomaterials, and water-cement ratio. Several effects upon dispersion of carbon allotropes in concrete-water media are emphasized. It is also pointed out that the health impact should also be considered in further experiments on construction materials reinforced with CNTs.