Effect of MWCNT and PCE plasticizer on the properties of cement pastes

Abstract

Polycarboxylate ether (PCE) plasticizer possesses by high water-reduction capability of about 30-40%. Despite the superior water reduction capability, the high dosages of PCE may cause the bleeding in cement systems, which is not suitable for high workability and selfcompacting concrete. The current research is devoted to the studying of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) suspension prepared in combination with PCE plasticizer on the rheological properties of cement pastes. The bleeding of cement pastes modified by different dosages of MWCNT was estimated as well. The increase of yield stress in 3.7 and 3.5 times was obtained for cement paste modified by MWCNT suspension in dosage of 0.12% by weight of cement (bwoc) in 5 and 120 min after cement paste mixing, respectively. The increase of plastic viscosity in 2.95 and 1.55 times was obtained for cement paste modified by MWCNT suspension in dosage of 0.12% bwoc in 5 and 120 min after cement paste mixing, respectively. Modification of cement pastes by MWCNT suspension in the dosage of 0.24 % bwoc led to the decrease of bleeding water volume by 21.7% in comparison with cement pastes modified only by PCE plasticizer.