Using the surface energy of nanoparticles to produce high-strength concrete

Abstract

The article considers a method for activating cement hardening processes using nanomaterials due to the magnitude of their surface energy: when injected into concrete, nanoparticles dump it due to the desire to transition to a stable state. Such activity leads to a significant gain in strength, hardness and the production of high-strength concrete. It is shown that such an effect can be achieved by surface impregnation of concrete with sols (colloidal solutions) based on SiO2 nanoparticles. It is advisable to start impregnation from the third day of hardening under normal conditions. At this age, the main heat of the cement's own exothermic hardening reaction has already been released into the environment, and the introduction of additional energy will not cause a shift in equilibrium towards slowing down the hardening processes in accordance with the Le-Chatelier principle. The results of physico-chemical studies of concrete after hardening, explaining this effect, are presented.