Modification of nanomaterials for nanostructured cement-based materials

Nanomaterials are used in cement-based materials to improve their engineering properties and functional performance. They can also contribute to the sustainability of cement-based materials by enhancing durability and reducing the required cement to cast cement-based materials. The efficiency of nanomaterials in cement-based materials can be further enhanced using advanced surface modification technologies. The surface modification includes both chemical and physical approaches, namely, oxidation treatments, grafting, in situ surface modification, and high-energy gamma-irradiation. Such approaches improve the dispersibility of nanoparticles in suspensions or increase the interaction of the nanoparticles with the cement matrix. This can lead to improvements in the mechanical properties, rheological and functional properties of nanocomposites. This chapter reviews the available surface modification methods for inorganic nanoparticles, namely, nanosilica, nanotitania, nanoalumina, and carbon nanofilaments. The chapter discusses the effect of such modification techniques on the engineering properties of cement-based materials.