Effect of Carbon Nanotubes on Microstructure and Durability of Cement-Based Materials

Carbon nanotube is a kind of excellent nanomaterial. The incorporation of carbon nanotubes will affect the microstructure and macroscopic properties of cement-based materials. The research results about carbon nanotubes on the microstructure and durability of cement-based materials were analyzed. The effect of carbon nanotubes on the hydration characteristics, pore structure, micro-crack, internal interface, carbonization resistance, ion erosion resistance, frost and thaw resistance of cement-based materials and their mechanism were discussed. The results show that carbon nanotubes promote the generation of hydration products through nucleation and affect the hydration reaction rate of cement. The pore structure and internal interface of cement-based materials were optimized by the filling and bridging effects of carbon nanotubes, thus hindering the forming and expanding of micro-cracks Also, carbon nanotubes can improve the durability of the cement-based materials, such as carbonization resistance, ion erosion resistance, frost and thaw resistance via the optimization of the microstructure of the cement-based materials. At present, some further researches are thus needed since the research results of carbon nanotubes on the microstructure and durability of cement-based materials are relatively less and the relevant conclusions obtained are different. © 2020, Editorial Department of Journal of the Chinese Ceramic Society. All right reserved.