Investigation of titanium nanoparticles-reinforced Asphalt Composites Using Rheological Tests

Abstract

Asphalt binder modification techniques are beneficial for the performance improvement of roads because they can be durable, present less permanent deformation, and provide longer fatigue life. The main modification agents involved in this process are polymers, fillers, fibers, and, more recently, nanomaterials, which have presented technical and economic feasibility. The nanoparticles were added to the base asphalt binder at a concentration of 3% of weight in pure and surface-modified states. This study aims to analyze the effect of surface modification of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using three different agents: oleic acid, benzyl alcohol, and oleylamine. The results have indicated that surface modification of the nanoparticles with oleylamine improved the interaction between the particles and the binder, contributing to increasing fatigue life and resistance to permanent deformation and delaying the aging process. Furthermore, the results of rheological tests have indicated that incorporating nanoparticles surface-modified with oleylamine into modified asphalt binder 55/75-E and asphalt binder 50/70 has produced higher resistance to the aging process less susceptibility to permanent deformation and cracks.