Comparative study on mechanisms for improving mechanical properties and microstructure of cement paste modified by different types of nanomaterials

Abstract

Abstract Filling and nucleation are the mechanisms of modifying cement paste with nanomaterials, as investigated by previous studies, and are difficult to reflect the different effects of nanomaterials, especially on the changes of cement clinker and hydration products in the cement hydration process. In this study, the mechanisms of modifying cement paste with nano-calcium carbonate (NC), nano-graphene oxide (NG), nano-silica (NS), and nano-titanium dioxide (NT) were investigated by determining the mechanical properties of cement paste treated with nanomaterials and analysing the changes in the cement clinker (tricalcium silicate and dicalcium silicate), hydration products (portlandite and ettringite), and microstructure through many micro-test methods. The results indicate that the incorporation of nanomaterials could improve the early strength of cement paste specimens due to more consumption of cement clinker. Meanwhile, different nanomaterials promote the formation of different hydration products at early ages. C–A–S–H gel, flower-like ettringite, and C–S–H seeds are widely distributed in the cement paste with the incorporation of NC, NG, and NS, respectively. NT exhibits insignificant nucleation effect and has inhibitory effect on portlandite precipitation. This study provides key insights into the mechanism of nanomaterials from the perspective of cement hydration, which may promote the further research and application of nanomaterials in the cement and concrete industries.