Sulfuric Acid Resistance of CNT-Cementitious Composites

Abstract

This study analyzed changes in the durability characteristics of cement mortar incorporating carbon nanotube (CNT) and the electrical properties subjected to deterioration induced by sulfate attack. Powder types of multi-walled or single-walled CNTs were used and added to the composites with 1.0% and 2.0% mass fraction, and the specimens were immersed in 5% and 10% sulfuric acid solutions to investigate the durability of CNT cementitious composites. Although mechanical performance decreased due to relatively large pores (370–80 μm) caused by CNTs, specimens incorporating CNTs exhibited enhanced resistance to sulfuric acid as CNTs, which offered strong resistance to acid corrosion, and prevented contact between the cement hydrate and the sulfuric acid solution. Therefore, it is expected that self-sensing performance was exhibited because there were no significant differences in the electrical properties of cement mortar subjected to the deterioration by sulfate attack.