Compressive strength and microstructure of carbon nanotubes–fly ash cement composites

In this work, carbon nanotubes of 0.5 and 1% by weight were added for the first time in a fly ash cement system to produce carbon nanotubes–fly ash composites in the form of pastes and mortars. Compressive strengths of the composites were then investigated. It was found that the use of carbon nanotubes resulted in higher strength of fly ash mortars. The highest strength obtained for 20% fly ash cement mortars was found at 1% carbon nanotubes where the compressive strength at 28 days was 51.8 MPa. This benefit can clearly be seen in fly ash cement with fly ash of 20% where the importance of the addition of carbon nanotubes means that the relative strength to that of Portland cement became almost 100% at 28 days. In addition, scanning electron micrographs also showed that good interaction between carbon nanotubes and the fly ash cement matrix is seen with carbon nanotubes acting as a filler resulting in a denser microstructure and higher strength when compared to the reference fly ash mix without CNTs.