Influence of mixing methods on the NOx reduction capability and electrical properties of photocatalytic cementitious systems

Nitrogen oxides (NOx), regarded as toxic air pollutants, are a group of highly reactive and hazardous gases encompassing compounds ranging from nitrous to nitric acid. Especially in crowded cities, the release of these gases from the industrial organizations and vehicles has reached serious levels. To eliminate the adverse effects of these gases, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is used worldwide as a photocatalyst due to its high efficiency in oxidization of NOx. Incorporating TiO2 into cement-based composites gives them photocatalytic capability: uniform and stable dispersion of TiO2 throughout the matrix is an undisputable requirement for improved photocatalytic efficiency. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of different mixing techniques and surfactant materials on the dispersion of high dosage nano-TiO2 particles (5% of total weight of binder materials) throughout cement-based materials, with the goal of producing cost-effective cementitious systems, more feasible mixing methods, and ensuring proper dispersion of nano-TiO2. Five different mixing methods were proposed to achieve uniform distribution of the nano-TiO2. They were each implemented using different mixing procedures, equipment and surfactants. The performance of each mixing method was evaluated based on photocatalytic performance, electrical impedance (EI), compressive strength and microstructural analysis. Test results showed evidence of the significantly positive effect of polyacrylic acid (PAA) on the dispersion of nano-TiO2. In general, the highest dispersion occurred with ultrasonication and binary utilization of polycarboxylate ether-based plasticizer (PCE) and PAA. The EI test was a highly effective evaluation method for homogeneous distribution of conductive nano particles throughout the matrix. Results also showed a significant relationship between electrical performance and nitric oxide (NO) degradation of composites, and electrical properties of composites are able to provide a reliable estimate of the photocatalytic efficiency of them. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Use of spent foundry sand and fly ash for the development of green self-consolidating concrete

In the United States alone, the foundry industry discards up to 10 million tons of sand each year, offering up a plentiful potential resource to replace sand in concrete products. However, because the use of spent foundry sand (SFS) is currently very limited in the concrete industry, this study investigates whether SFS can successfully be used as a sand replacement material in cost-effective, green, self-consolidating concrete (SCC). In the study, SCC mixtures were developed to be even more inexpensive and environmentally friendly by incorporating Portland cement with fly ash (FA). Tests done on SCC mixtures to determine fresh properties (slump flow diameter, slump flow time, V-funnel flow time, yield stress, and relative viscosity), compressive strength, drying shrinkage and transport properties (rapid chloride permeability and volume of permeable pores) show that replacing up to 100% of sand with SFS and up to 70% Portland cement with FA enables the manufacture of green, lower cost SCC mixtures with proper fresh, mechanical and durability properties. The beneficial effects of FA compensate for some possible detrimental effects of SFS.Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada, and the Canada Research Chair Progra

Impact resistance of deflection-hardening fiber reinforced concretes with different mixture parameters

YesThe impact behavior of deflection-hardening High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Concretes (HPFRCs) was evaluated herein. During the preparation of HPFRCs, fiber type and amount, fly ash to Portland cement ratio and aggregate to binder ratio were taken into consideration. HPFRC beams were tested for impact resistance using free-fall drop-weight test. Acceleration, displacement and impact load vs. time graphs were constructed and their relationship to the proposed mixture parameters were evaluated. The paper also aims to present and verify a nonlinear finite element analysis, employing the incremental nonlinear dynamic analysis, concrete damage plasticity model and contact surface between the dropped hammer and test specimen available in ABAQUS. The proposed modelling provides extensive and accurate data on structural behavior, including acceleration, displacement profiles and residual displacement results. Experimental results which are further confirmed by numerical studies show that impact resistance of HPFRC mixtures can be significantly improved by a proper mixture proportioning. In the presence of high amounts of coarse aggregates, fly ash and increased volume of hybrid fibers, impact resistance of fiberless reference specimens can be modified in a way to exhibit relatively smaller displacement results after impact loading without risking the basic mechanical properties and deflection-hardening response with multiple cracking

Role of inclusion size distribution of titanium dioxide on the nitrogen oxides reduction capability and microstructural characteristics of cementitious systems

This paper explores the effect of the inclusion size of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles on a variety of performance properties of cementitious systems via experimental studies. In addition to comprehensive microstructural analysis including pore size distribution and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analyses, particular consideration was given to the effect of particle size distribution (PSD) of TiO2 particles on mechanical and photocatalytic properties and hydration kinetics of cementitious systems. Nano-sized, submicron-sized and micron-sized anatase-phase TiO2 powders were utilized as photocatalysts at a dosage of 5% by total weight of powder material. In addition to the single use of TiO2 particles with three different size ranges (nano, submicron and micron), they were also used in combination by adjusting their PSDs with three different PSD moduli (q): 0.1, 0.5, and 0.9. Test results show that techniques for achieving optimal microstructural characteristics of cementitious systems also help design and improve their performance in favor of multifunctionality. As a result of PSD optimization of TiO2 particles with three different size ranges, which was significantly influential on the microstructure of the cementitious systems, superior photocatalytic degradation results were obtained from mixtures containing lower amounts of nano-sized TiO2 particles. Cementitious composites with denser microstructure showed lower performance in terms of being able to maintain photocatalytic degradation capability for a prolonged period, whereas the opposite was the case for compressive strength. © 2021 Elsevier Lt

Impregnation and encapsulation of lightweight aggregates for self-healing concrete

This study investigated a technique of impregnating potential self-healing agents into lightweight aggregates (LWA) and the self-healing performance of concrete mixed with the impregnated LWA. Lightweight aggregates with a diameter range of 4–8 mm were impregnated with a sodium silicate solution as a potential self-healing agent. Concrete specimens containing the impregnated LWA and control specimens were pre-cracked up to 300 μm crack width at 7 days. Flexural strength recovery and reduction in water sorptivity were examined. After 28 days healing in water, the specimens containing the impregnated LWA showed ∼80% recovery of the pre-cracking strength, which accounts more than five times of the control specimens’ recovery. The capillary water absorption was also significantly improved; the specimens healed with the impregnated LWA showed a 50% reduction in the sorptivity index compared with the control cracked specimens and a very similar response to the control uncracked specimens. The contribution of sodium silicate in producing more calcium silicate hydrate gel was confirmed by characterisation the healing products using X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.Yousef Jameel Foundation through Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Project Ref. EP/K026631/1 – ‘‘Materials for Life”

Strength and durability of composite concretes using municipal wastes

The influence of different types of polyethylene (PE) substitutions as partial aggregate replacement of micro-steel fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete (SCC) incorporating incinerator fly ash was investigated. The study focuses on the workability and hardened properties including mechanical, permeability properties, sulfate resistance and microstructure. Regardless of the polyethylene type, PE substitutions slightly decreased the compressive and flexural strength of SSC initially, however, the difference was compensated at later ages. SEM analysis of the interfacial transition zone showed that there was chemical interaction between PE and the matrix. Although PE substitutions increased the permeable porosity and sorptivity, it significantly improved the sulfate resistance of SCC. The influence of PE shape and size on workability and strength was found to be more important than its type. When considering the disposal of PE wastes and saving embodied energy, consuming recycled PE as partial aggregate replacement was more advantageous over virgin PE aggregate replaced concrete

Mechanical and microstructural characterization of geopolymers from assorted construction and demolition waste-based masonry and glass

YesGeopolymers are mostly produced with main-stream precursors such as fly ash and slag. These precursors are successfully used and competitively demanded by the cement industry. Development of geopolymers from alternative precursors is appealing. The main aim of this work is the development of geopolymers with construction and demolition waste-based precursors including masonry units (red clay brick, roof tile, hollow brick) and glass. Different curing temperatures (50, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125 oC), curing periods (24, 48, 72 h), and Na concentrations (10, 12, 15%) of alkaline activator (NaOH) were employed. Compressive strength testing and microstructural investigations were performed including X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Results showed that depending on the type of precursor (hollow brick), curing temperature/period (115 oC/24 h) and concentration of alkaline activator (12%), it is possible to obtain compressive strength results more than 45 MPa. Hollow brick is the most successful precursor resulting in higher compressive strength results thanks to a more compact microstructure. The strength performance of red clay brick and roof tile is similar. The compressive strength results of geopolymers with glass precursor are lower, most probably due to significantly coarser particles of glass used. The main reaction products of red clay brick-, roof tile- and hollow brick-based geopolymers are sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) gels with zeolite-like structures while they are sodium silicate gels in the case of glass-based geopolymers. Our findings showed that CDW-based materials can be used successfully in producing geopolymers. Current research is believed to help raise awareness in novel routes for the effective utilization of such wastes which are realistically troublesome and attract further research on the utilization of CDW-based materials in geopolymer production.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the Scientific and Technical Research Council (TUBITAK) of Turkey and British Council provided under projects: 117M447 and 218M102

Mechanical properties of cotton fabric reinforced geopolymer composites at 200-1000 °C

Geopolymer composites containing woven cotton fabric (0–8.3 wt%) were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique, and were exposed to elevated temperatures of 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, 800 °C and 1000 °C. With an increase in temperature, the geopolymer composites exhibited a reduction in compressive strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness. When heated above 600 °C, the composites exhibited a significant reduction in mechanical properties. They also exhibited brittle behavior due to severe degradation of cotton fibres and the creation of additional porosity in the composites. Microstructural images verified the existence of voids and small channels in the composites due to fibre degradation