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.