Nanotechnology

What is Nanotechnology

  • Nanotechnology is the use of very small particles of materials either by themselves or by their manipulation to create the new large scale materials.
  • Nanometer is a billionth of a meter.
  • Decisive materials properties can be deliberately improved by introducing characteristics structures on the Nano scale.
  • The construction business will inevitably be a beneficiary of this nanotechnology.

 

Nanotechnology Concrete

  • At the basic science level, much analysis of concrete is being done at the nano-level in order to understand its structure using the various techniques developed for study at that scale.
  • Concrete is after all, macro-material strongly influenced by its nano-properties and understanding it at this new level is yielding new avenue’s for improvement of strength, durability & monitoring.
  • In concrete Nano particles mainly used are-
  1. Nano Silica
  2. Titanium Dioxide
  3. Carbon Nanotube

 

Nano Silica

  • Nano Silica addition to cement base materials can control the degradation of the fundamental C-S-H reaction of concrete cause by calcium leaching in water as well as block water penetration and therefore leads to improvements in durability.
  • When related to OPC as a result the compressive strength of the material is 3-6 times higher.

 

Fly Ash

  • It is another Nano particle that improves concrete durability, strength & importantly for sustainability and replacing cement, however, the curing process of concrete is slowed by addition of fly ash, at early stage strength is also low in comparison to normal.
  • With the addition of SIO2 Nano particles added to concrete has shown that they also increase strength that replaces density in earlier stages.

 

Titanium Dioxide

  • Another type of Nano particle added to concrete to improve its properties is TIO2.
  • TIO2 is a white pigment and can be used as an excellent reflective coating.
  • TIO2 breaks down organic pollutants, volatile organic compounds, bacterial membrane’s through powerful catalytic reactions.
  • Additionally it is hydro philic and therefore gives self cleaning properties to surface to which it is a plane.

 

Nano in glass

  • TIO2 is used in Nano partial form to coat glassing since it has sterilizing and anti-fouling properties.
  • Fire protective glass is another application of nanotechnology in which clear in tumescent layer sandwiched between glass panel’s formed of fumed silica Nano particles which interns into a rigid a opaque fire shield when heated.

 

Nanotechnology & fire protection

  • Nano cement has the potential to create a new paradigm in this area can be used as tough, durable high temperature coating this is a achieved by mixing CNT’S which cement material to fabricate fiber composites which results outstanding performances.
  • Polypropoline also are being consider as the metal of increasing fire resistance and this is cheaper option than conventional.

 

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