Composite nanoarchitectonics by interfacial bonding for conductivity and strength development of grafted multiwall carbon nanotube/cement
Suthisa Onthong, Edgar A. O’Rear, Thirawudh Pongprayoon
Abstract
Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were applied to improve electrically conductive cementitious composites (ECCCs). The affinity between MWCNT and calcium silicate hydrate in cement must consider interfacial bonding as key to success. MWCNT was modified in concurrent reactions with polyindole (PIn) and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) by grafting-from polymerization. The gMWCNT created a bifunctional structure of conducting and hydrophilic polymer using PIn and PVAc. The interfacial interaction between gMWCNT and cement hydrate was characterized through SEM, wettability, FTIR and mechanicals tests. Results indicated the linking of hydrophilic group in gMWCNT and silanol group in cement hydrate, leading to increase conductivity and strength of ECCCs.