CARBON NANOTUBE CEMENT COMPOSITES

The carbon nanotubes are revolutionary material which has superior mechanical properties, which make them an ideal reinforcing material in polymer composites.The present paper is a comprehensive study of researches and developments in the field of Carbon nanotube cement composites. The carbon nanotube are nano scale particles, its additions in small amounts to the cement mortar and cement concrete mixtures improve their durability,flexural strength, compressive strength and reduce porosity. The additions of CNT in small amounts that is upto .5% by weight to cement mixture and its effects have been analysed. The study of synthesis of CNT and its dispersion methods have also been done.The challenges regarding production of CNT-cement compoites are posed by insoulubility of carbon nanotubes in any of the aqeous and organic solvents ordinarily. The dispersion of carbon nanotubes have been achieved by use of surfactants and other chemical compounds along with vigorous agitation by sonication. The various researches have reported varied results experimenting with different amounts of CNTs and different dispersion techniques leading to a conclusion that although .05 to .5% addition of CNTs to cement enhance the properties greatly, but the field still requires more research into the methods of dispersion and effects of carbon naontube on microstructure of cement and concrete mixes.