Cement Based Foam Concrete Reinforced by Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The main task of the presented research was to investigate the carbonnanotubes, synthesized from aromatic hydrocarbons and as well as toinvestigate the possibilities of production and main technologicalproperties of Portland cement based foam concrete reinforced bydispersed carbon nanotubes. The method of stimulation ofdehydropolycondensation and carbonization of aromatic hydrocarbons inchemical active environment (melts of aluminium, copper, nickel, ironsalts) was used for carbon nanotubes synthesis. The results ofinvestigation of the synthesized carbon nanotubes by X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy showed that they contain (80 - 90) % ofcarbon. The examination of the carbon nanotubes microstructure byelectron microscope have shown that the nanotubes have a cylindricform, with diameter ranging up to 100 nm and length up to 20 mum. Thenanotubes are agglomerated to fiber shaped agglomerates with a diameterup to 30 mum and a length up to 10 mm. The carbon nanotubes were usedas a high strength dispersed reinforcement for production of foamnon-autoclave concrete produced on the base of Portland cement. Theresults of the investigation of the reinforced non-autoclave cementfoam concrete showed that the use of carbon nanotubes (0.05 % by mass)in production of these concretes allows to decrease its heatconductivity up to (12 - 20) % and increase its compressive strengthup to 70 %.