Scholarlink

<p>Leveraging alkali-activated materials (AAMs) prepared from industrial wastes offers significant potential for sustainable construction, yet their widespread application is hindered by inherent limitations in tensile strength and shrinkage. Incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) presents a promising strategy to enhance the performance of these waste-derived binders. This work critically reviews the macro-properties and nano-/micro-structural mechanisms of CNT-reinforced AAM nanocomposites, evaluating their viability for sustainable infrastructure applications. Following an analysis of CNT dispersion behavior in alkaline media, the impacts of CNTs on mechanical strength, drying shrinkage, durability, hydration products, pore structure, microcracking, and interfacial bonding are systematically examined. Results demonstrate that CNTs significantly enhance mechanical strength, toughness, and durability while mitigating drying shrinkage. Microstructural analysis reveals that CNTs act as nucleation sites, promoting gel phase formation, increasing Al–Si substitution, and extending aluminosilicate chain length. Simultaneously, CNTs refine pore structure and bridge microcracks, impeding crack initiation and propagation. Discrepancies in reported fluidity, mechanical strength, and microstructural results are attributed to the variations in AAM precursor composition (waste source) and liquid-phase environments affecting CNT dispersion. This review not only advances the understanding of CNT–AAM interactions but also identifies critical research gaps in CNT dispersion stability, long-term durability mechanisms under environmental stress, and nanoscale interfacial characterization, which are essential for optimizing waste-derived AAM nanocomposites for sustainable construction.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Enhancing the sustainable performance of waste-derived alkali-activated materials via carbon nanotubes reinforcement—a critical review

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月2日

查看全文
  • Fangli Zhao,
  • Baomin Wang,
  • Zhengyue Ren

摘要

Leveraging alkali-activated materials (AAMs) prepared from industrial wastes offers significant potential for sustainable construction, yet their widespread application is hindered by inherent limitations in tensile strength and shrinkage. Incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) presents a promising strategy to enhance the performance of these waste-derived binders. This work critically reviews the macro-properties and nano-/micro-structural mechanisms of CNT-reinforced AAM nanocomposites, evaluating their viability for sustainable infrastructure applications. Following an analysis of CNT dispersion behavior in alkaline media, the impacts of CNTs on mechanical strength, drying shrinkage, durability, hydration products, pore structure, microcracking, and interfacial bonding are systematically examined. Results demonstrate that CNTs significantly enhance mechanical strength, toughness, and durability while mitigating drying shrinkage. Microstructural analysis reveals that CNTs act as nucleation sites, promoting gel phase formation, increasing Al–Si substitution, and extending aluminosilicate chain length. Simultaneously, CNTs refine pore structure and bridge microcracks, impeding crack initiation and propagation. Discrepancies in reported fluidity, mechanical strength, and microstructural results are attributed to the variations in AAM precursor composition (waste source) and liquid-phase environments affecting CNT dispersion. This review not only advances the understanding of CNT–AAM interactions but also identifies critical research gaps in CNT dispersion stability, long-term durability mechanisms under environmental stress, and nanoscale interfacial characterization, which are essential for optimizing waste-derived AAM nanocomposites for sustainable construction.

Graphical abstract