Biopolymers as Novel Tool for Self-Sealing and Self-Healing of Mortar

2016 ◽  
Vol 1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arn Mignon ◽  
Peter Dubruel ◽  
Sandra Van Vlierberghe ◽  
Nele De Belie

ABSTRACTSynthetic superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are used in concrete for various applications such as internal curing and frost resistance. However, the addition of these SAPs may lead to a significant decrease in mortar strength, especially when high amounts of SAP are necessary. This is the case for example when self-sealing and -healing of cracks is strived at. In order to overcome this bottleneck, the present work focuses on the application of biopolymers as SAPs. The work especially aims to evaluate the potential of both sodium alginate (NaAlg) as well as physically cross-linked calcium alginate (CaAlg) as SAPs to establish a sustainable approach towards self-sealing and -healing concrete without impairing mechanical strength. First, the swelling properties in both demineralized water and cement filtrate solution are tested. Subsequently, the mechanical properties of mortar mixtures in the absence and the presence of SAPs are compared by performing flexural and compressive tests. The alginates show a swelling capacity up to 72 times their own weight in aqueous solutions. Interestingly, they lead to a minor reduction in compression strength (up to 15% upon addition of 1m% SAP). These biopolymers show high potential for enabling concrete repair, more specifically, for the self-sealing and -healing of cracks without impairing the strength.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Wolfel ◽  
Cecilia Inés Alvarez Igarzabal ◽  
Marcelo Ricardo Romero

<p>Design of materials with novel sensitivities and smart behaviour is important for the development of smart systems with automated responsiveness. We have recently reported the synthesis of hydrogels, cross-linked by <i>N,N'</i>-diallyltartardiamide (DAT). The covalent DAT-crosslinking points have vicinal diols which can be easily cleaved with periodate, generating valuable a-oxo-aldehyde functional groups, useful for further chemical modification. Based on those findings, we envisioned that a self-healable hydrogel could be obtained by incorporation of primary amino functional groups, from <a>2-aminoethyl methacrylate </a>hydrochloride (AEMA), coexisting with DAT into the same network. The a-oxo-aldehyde groups generated after the reaction with periodate would arise in the immediate environment of amine groups to form imine cross-links. For this purpose, DAT-crosslinked hydrogels were synthesized and carefully characterized. The cleavage of DAT-crosslinks with periodate promoted changes in the mechanical and swelling properties of the materials. As expected, a self-healing behavior was observed, based on the spontaneous formation of imine covalent bonds. In addition, we surprisingly found a combination of fast vicinal diols cleavage and a low speed self-crosslinking reaction by imine formation. Consequently, it was found a time-window in which a periodate-treated polymer was obtained in a transient liquid state, which can be exploited to choose the final shape of the material, before automated gelling. The singular properties attained on these hydrogels could be useful for developing sensors, actuators, among other smart systems.</p>


2021 ◽  
pp. 126721
Author(s):  
Pei Wan ◽  
Quantao Liu ◽  
Shaopeng Wu ◽  
Zenggang Zhao ◽  
Shuaichao Chen ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1622
Author(s):  
Yu-Ping Wang ◽  
Zhe Wang ◽  
Yu Zhao ◽  
Fa-Cheng Yi ◽  
Bao-Long Zhu

In China, Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite is recognized as a barrier material for isolating nuclear waste. Different chemical solutions may change the hydraulic conductivity and swelling capacity of bentonite. Consequently, a series of swelling pressure and permeability experiments was carried out on bentonite-sand mixtures with various dry densities and infiltrating solutions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) were carried out on the samples experiencing the tests to identify the influence of chemistry pore solutions upon the mineralogical and microstructure changes. The results show that the swelling pressure experienced rapid swelling, slow expansion, and the stable expansion stage for the specimens of infiltrating solutions except for NaOH. For the specimens infiltrated with NaOH solutions, the swelling pressure experienced rapid increases, slow decreases, and a stable development stage. With hyper-alkaline and hyper-salinity infiltration, the swelling pressure decreased, and the permeability increased. In addition, swelling pressure attained stability more quickly on contact with hyper-alkaline and hyper-salinity solutions. Comparing the test results, the results indicate that the influence of NaOH on the expansion and permeability was higher than NaCl-Na2SO4 at the same concentration.


Author(s):  
Héctor Ferral Pérez ◽  
Mónica Galicia García

In recent years, biological mineralization has been implemented as a viable option for the elaboration of new building materials, protection and repair of concrete by self-healing, soil stabilization, carbon dioxide capture, and drug delivery. Biogenic mineralization of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) induced by bacterial metabolism has been proposed as an effective method. The objective of the present study was to characterize the bioprecipitation of CaCO3 crystals by Bacillus subtilis in a semi-solid system. The results show that CaCO3 crystals were produced by day 3 of incubation. The prevalent crystalline polymorph was calcite, and in a minor proportion, vaterite. The presence of amorphous material was also detected (amorphous CaCO3 (ACC)). Finally, the crystallinity index was 81.1%. This biogenic calcium carbonate does not decrease pH and does not yield chloride formation. Contrary, it increases pH values up to 10, which constitutes and advantage for implementations at reinforced concrete. Novel applications for biogenic calcium carbonate derived from Bacillus subtilis addressing self-healing, biocementation processes, and biorestoration of monuments are presented.  


2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 668-668
Author(s):  
Saud Hashmi Saud Hashmi ◽  
Saad Nadeem Saad Nadeem ◽  
Zahoor Awan Zahoor Awan ◽  
Adeel ur Rehman Adeel ur Rehman ◽  
Ahsan Abdul Ghani Ahsan Abdul Ghani

Superabsorbent hydrogels constitute a group of polymeric materials with three-dimensional network structure, which can swell to absorb an enormous amount of water or aqueous solutions. This property enables various commercial applications of hydrogels such as water holding capability in agriculture and superabsorbent material for baby diapers. Several novel superabsorbent hydrogels based on acrylic acid-co-acrylamide copolymers were synthesized under variation of copolymer compositions through free radical polymerization. N,N’methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) was used as a water soluble crosslinker and potassium persulphate (KPS) as an initiator. Effect of varying the copolymer composition, change in crosslinker concentration, and effect of environmental parameters (pH, temperature, and ion concentration) on both swelling capacity and swelling rate were examined. These gel shows maximum swelling at neutral pH-7, whereas increasing salt concentration in water decrease the swelling capacity. It was found interesting that an increase in crosslinker concentration from 0.020% to 0.16%, the swelling capacity decreases up to 70% while the swelling rate increases from 0.007g water/g dry hydrogel sec to 0.024g water/g dry hydrogel sec, respectively because there is a compromise exists between entropic spring forces between network connection points and the hydrostatic pressure of the water diffusing into the gels. Dynamic swelling curve obtained were fitted to the three different kinetic models namely Peleg’s kinetic model, pseudo 1st order as proposed by Lagergen and pseudo 2nd order kinetics. All these models provided a good agreement with the experimental data; However on the bases of statistical parameters (RMSE, R2 and X2) the Peleg’s model was selected as the most appropriate model for this study. Analyzing rate constant for Peleg’s models at different swelling temperatures disclosed that increasing temperature could only increase the swelling rate without affecting the swelling capacity of the hydrogels. Experimental values for rate constant k1 of Peleg’s model at different temperature shows a sharp decrease from 0.57545 at 30 oC to 0.1535 at 75 oC that contemplated the rate of swelling at 75 oC was 65% faster than that of 30 oC. The diffusion mechanisms in hydrogels were proven to be tailorable by increasing cross-linker concentration and temperature, leading towards the Fickian type diffusion behavior. The synthesized superabsorbent hydrogels were also tested for water retention applications in agriculture.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Silvie Durpekova ◽  
Kateryna Filatova ◽  
Jaroslav Cisar ◽  
Alena Ronzova ◽  
Erika Kutalkova ◽  
...  

This study details the design and characterization of a new, biodegradable, and renewable whey/cellulose-based hydrogel (i.e., agricultural hydrogel). This was formulated from cellulose derivatives (carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC)) and acid whey cross-linked with citric acid, with the aim to obtain an agricultural product with a high swelling capacity to uphold the quality of soil and conserve water resources. With regard to the swelling behaviour of the prepared hydrogels, the authors initially assessed the swelling ratio and capacity for water uptake. Evaluating the chemical structure of the hydrogel and its thermal and viscoelastic properties involved performing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning colorimetry, thermal gravimetric analysis, and rheological measurement of the hydrogel films. According to preliminary results, sufficient swelling capacity and stiffness were observed in a hydrogel prepared with 3% CMC and HEC, cross-linked with 5% citric acid. Moreover, the kinetics of water uptake revealed a promising capacity that was sustainable after 5 drying and swelling cycles. The results confirmed that the stability of the hydrogel was enhanced by the presence of the citric acid. As a consequence, it is necessary to utilize an appropriate cross-linking concentration and abide by certain conditions to ensure the swelling properties of the prepared hydrogel are sufficient. Further investigation of the topic, especially in relation to applications in soil, could confirm if the whey-cellulose-based hydrogel is actually suitable for agricultural use, thereby contributing to the advancement of sustainable arable farming.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Zhang ◽  
Ying Guan ◽  
Gen-Que Fu ◽  
Bo-Yang Chen ◽  
Feng Peng ◽  
...  

The unique organic/inorganic superabsorbent hydrogels based on xylan and inorganic clay montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared via grafting copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) withN,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as a cross-linking agent and potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator. The effect of variables on the swelling capacity of the hydrogels, such as the weight ratios of MMT/xylan, MBA/xylan, and AMPS/AA, was systematically optimized. The results indicated that the superabsorbent hydrogels comprised a porous cross-linking structure of MMT and xylan with side chains that carry carboxylate, carboxamide, and sulfate. The hydrogels exhibit the high compressive modulus (E), about 35–55 KPa, and the compression strength of the hydrogels increased with an increment of the MMT content. The effect of various cationic salt solutions (LiCl, CaCl2, and FeCl3) on the swelling has the following order: Li+> Ca2+> Fe3+. Furthermore, the influence of pH values on swelling behaviors showed that the superabsorbent composites retained around 1000 g g−1over a wide pH range of 6.0–10.0. The xylan-based hydrogels with the high mechanical and swelling properties are promising for the applications in the biomaterials area.


2019 ◽  
Vol 268 ◽  
pp. 04010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel Melendres ◽  
Judy An Antang ◽  
Christian Jake Manacob

Different types of superabsorbent polymers (SAP) exhibiting varied absorbency properties were investigated for their performances at varying concentrations of an electrolyte. Water chemical potential, which is a function of concentration and pressure, was interpreted as a major parameter for absorbency and swelling properties of SAP. Superabsorbent polymers that were investigated gave different values of permeability which was carried out in a layer of swelled superabsorbent polymer. This result revealed differences on the structure of the superabsorbent polymers particularly on the crosslinking density. SAP’s absorbency properties were further tested and a correlation between the quantity of absorption and the chemical potential of water in terms of sodium chloride concentration was developed using experimental data on free swelling capacity and absorption under pressure. Results showed decreasing quantity of absorption by the superabsorbent polymers with decreasing chemical potential of water with higher reduction in the absorbency at higher pressure applied on the swelled SAP.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrina M. Hatch ◽  
Jana Hlavatá ◽  
Katherine Paulett ◽  
Tatsiana Liavitskaya ◽  
Sergey Vyazovkin ◽  
...  

Nanocellulose/polyvinylpyrrolidone (nCel/PVP) fibrous composite materials containing rod-like nanocrystalline cellulose particles with the lengths varying in the range from 100 to 2000 nm were prepared by using DC electrospinning. The particle size had a strong effect on the precursor viscosity, process efficiency, and resulting fiber diameter. The thermal crosslinking of nCel/PVP composite nanofibers with up to 1.0 :  8.0 nCel/PVP weight ratio resulted in fibrous membranes with textural, air transport, and mass swelling properties varying significantly with the size of cellulose particles. The presence of nCel particles increased the oxidation resistance of PVP during the crosslinking and affected the morphological changes of nCel/PVP fibrous membranes in aqueous solutions. Particles with the smallest size improved the strength of the membrane but decreased its mass swelling capacity, whereas the larger particles led to a more porous and flexible, but mechanically weaker, membrane structure with a higher swelling ability. Thus, by using the nCel particles of different size and shape, the properties of nCel/PVP composite fibrous membranes can be tailored to a specific application.


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