Investigation of freeze–thaw deterioration effects on electrical properties and electric-heating capability of CNT-CF incorporated cement mortar

The present study investigates the impact of freeze–thaw deterioration on the electrical properties and electric-heating capabilities of cement mortar incorporating with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and carbon fibers (CF). Mortar samples, containing 0.5 wt.% CNT and 0.1 wt.% CF relative to the mass of cement, were prepared and subjected to freeze–thaw tests for up to 300 cycles. The electrical properties and electric-heating capability were evaluated every 30 freeze–thaw cycles, and the physicochemical characteristics of the samples were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The results indicate a decline in both electrical conductivity and heat-generation capability as the freeze–thaw cycles progress. Furthermore, changes in the pore structure of the mortar samples during the freeze–thaw cycles contributed to damage in the conductive network formed by CNT and CF, resulting in decreased electrical conductivity and heat-generation capabilities of the mortar samples.