Effect of nano-TiO2 on the mechanical properties of cement mortar

Effect of nano-TiO2 on the mechanical properties of cement mortar was studied in this paper. Test results indicated that when cement was substituted by nano-TiO2, the strength of cement mortar at early ages increased a lot and the fluidity and strength at evening ages decreased obviously. The change tendency of diffraction intensity of (0 0 1) crystal plane was entirely different with that of (1 0 1) crystal plane. It seemed that the main reason for the improvement of strength is the decrease and modification of orientation index for the nucleus function, not the increasing amount of hydration products. Results also indicated that it was useful to modify the fluidity and the strength at evening ages of the cement mortar with nano-TiO2 by adding superplasticizer and slag powder into cement mortar.

▸ Nano-TiO2 was helpful to improve the strength of cement mortar at early ages. ▸ The decrease of orientation index of CH was the main reason for the strength improvement. ▸ Nano-TiO2 was harmful to the strength of cement mortar at evening ages. ▸ Superplasticizer and slag powder could modify the fluidity and strength at evening ages.