Investigations of addition of low fractions of nanoclay/latex nanocomposite on mechanical and morphological properties of cementitious materials

In this study, we report the synthesis, characterization and performance of organic-inorganic hybrid (OIH) cementitious nanocomposites. OIH was synthesized by the insertion of polymer latex particles in the structure of clay nanoplates. Polymer latex particles were prepared by the polymerization of three different organic monomer comprising styrene monomer (St), 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate (EHA), and methacrylic acid (MAA). Poly(St/EHA/MAA) was prepared by a semi-continuous emulsion polymerization process. The prepared OIH was used to modify the cement paste properties. For the fabrication of latex structure various composition of methacrylic acid as a functional monomer was examined. The effect of the variety of the percentage of MAA on latex composition, and also the OIH to cement ratios were optimized. The optimum conditions were applied to the fabrication of nanoclay based blends. The effects of OIH onto the cement paste properties were evaluated by measuring of the compressive and flexural strength analyses. The obtained results showed that the best composition in cementitious matrix was related to the sample of OIH namely CP565, in which comprises of five percent nanoclay. Also FT-IR, XRD, and SEM analyses were performed to exactly identify the effects of OIH onto the cementitious matrix properties.