- Author
- Mitchell, L. D. | Margeson, J. | Beaudoin, J. J.
- Title
- Synthesis and Characterization of Nanoparticulate Calcium Aluminates.
- Coporate
- National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
- Report
- NRCC-38446,
- Book or Conf
- Nanotechnology in Construction Conference. Proceedings. June 23, 2003, Paisley, Scotland, 227-237 p., 2003
- Keywords
- building construction | construction | nanoparticles | cements | x-ray diffraction | gels | physical properties
- Identifiers
- Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM); characterisation of anhydrous materials; Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC); characterisation of hydrated materials; microhardness: evaluation of physical properties; material compositions used for the Vickers Hardness testing
- Abstract
- Nanoscale science and technology has emerged as a very active research area in recent years. Its scope encompasses a wide range of disciplines. The use of nanoparticulate solids is a natural step in the potential application of nanoscale science to the construction sector. Nanoparticles offer the potential for stronger and more flexible cement-based materials. They will have an inevitable influence on the hydration characteristics of the hydraulic phases in cements. A number of techniques exist for the production of nanocrystalline and nanoparticulate oxide materials. Some of these are relatively complex and/or produce very small quantities of material, e.g. laser techniques. Additional techniques include high energy ball milling, cap precipitation, and other solution based routes. Many of the latter routes are relatively straightforward gel and combustion techniques that rely on complexation and dispersion with rapid heating respectively to achieve small crystallite sizes.