Mechanical and microstructural properties of cementitious concrete containing nanoencapsulated dodecanoic acid with silicon dioxide shell

Abstract

Fatty acid based nanoencapsulated phase change materials (NEPCMs) are synthesized via sol-gel process using Dodecanoic acid as the core materials and silicon dioxide (SiO2) as the protection materials. Several amounts of synthesized NEPCMs i.e., 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0% are added into the cement system, and the mechanical, as well as the microstructural properties of the OPC-NEPCMs concrete are evaluated. The compressive and tensile strength results with the addition of 0.5% NEPCMs show a strength reduction of almost 7.9 and 15.6%, respectively, and also a slight reduction by 0.7% in the absorption properties. The addition of 1.0 and 3.0% of NEPCMs show a major reduction of strength, density, and absorption rate. However, with the addition of 3% NEPCMs, the maximum rate of heat and total heat production are reduced by 45% and 55 J/g, respectively. The SEM micrographs demonstrate that there is no leakage occurred and the NEPCMs are still in good conditions. Thus, it may be inferred that these synthesized NEPCMs can be potential material in the construction industry to solve the mass concrete problems and also to be used as thermal comfort materials in the building. © International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Urban Development.