Nanoscience and nanoengineering of cement-based materials - Nanotechnology in Eco-efficient Construction - page 12

2.1.4 Chapter outline
This chapter provides an overview of the recent contributions of nanotech-
nology to the cement and concrete industry. Space constraints dictate that
we explore promising ideas and contributions in a non-exhaustive way,
while the reader is directed throughout the text to journal publications
for a more detailed exposition. Some recent reviews can also serve as intro-
duction to the topic (Mann, 2006; Scrivener and Kirkpatrick, 2008; Sanchez
and Sobolev, 2010; Black et al. , 2010; Raki et al. , 2010; Jennings and Bullard,
2011; Pacheco-Torgal and Jalali, 2011). The content is presented in two main
parts:

1. Section 2.2, 'Nanoscience of cement-based materials', deals with the
fundamental understanding recently obtained through the application
of novel techniques that probe the nanoscale structure of concrete
(C-S-H). This refi ned understanding provides opportunities for more
delicate modeling that can transfer nanoscale knowledge to the level
where the material is applied to engineering applications.

2. Section 2.3, 'Nanoengineering of cement-based materials', is devoted to

recent attempts to modify the nanoscale of cementitious materials uti-
lizing advances in nanoscale synthesis, chemistry, and manufacturing in
order to develop a stronger, more durable, and environmentally friendly
material.

2.2 Nanoscience of cement-based materials

2.2.1 Experimental micro/nano-mechanics
In the past few decades the scientifi c community has experienced a rapid
advancement in the availability of experimental tools for monitoring,
manipulating and synthesizing nanoscale features. This provided an unprec-
edented opportunity for revisiting ubiquitous materials like cementitious
systems and refi ning our fundamental understanding of the underlying
mechanisms that control their macroscopic response while at the same time
opening avenues for science-based innovation and materials optimization.
Several new techniques have been developed, some of which have already
been exploited on cementitious materials and some of which remain unex-
plored. These include atomic force microscopy (AFM), nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR), X-ray microscopy, focused ion beam (FIB), scanning
electron microscopy (SEM/ESEM), transmission electron microscopy
(TEM), small angle neutron scattering (SANS), small angle X-ray scatter-
ing (SAXS). The application of some of these techniques to the benefi t of
cement and concrete nanoscience is presented below.

￿ ￿ ￿ ￿ ￿ ￿