Multi-layered cement-hydrogel composite with high toughness, low thermal conductivity, and self-healing capability

Yuan Chen, Yangzezhi Zheng, Yang Zhou (), Wei Zhang (), Weihuan Li, Wei She, Jiaping Liu and Changwen Miao
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Yuan Chen: Southeast University
Yangzezhi Zheng: Southeast University
Yang Zhou: Southeast University
Wei Zhang: Southeast University
Weihuan Li: Southeast University
Wei She: Southeast University
Jiaping Liu: Southeast University
Changwen Miao: Southeast University

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The inherent quasi-brittleness of cement-based materials, due to the disorder of their hydration products and pore structures, present significant challenges for directional matrix toughening. In this work, a rigid layered skeleton of cement slurry was prepared using a simplified ice-template method, and subsequently flexible polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel was introduced into the unidirectional pores between neighboring cement platelets, resulting in the formation of a multi-layered cement-based composite. A toughness improvement of over 175 times is achieved by the implantation of such hard-soft alternatively layered microstructure. The toughening mechanism is the stretching of hydrogels at the nano-scale and deflections of micro-cracks at the interfaces, which avoid stress concentration and dissipate huge energy. Furthermore, this cement-hydrogel composite also exhibits a low thermal conductivity (around 1/10 of normal cement) and density, high specific strength and self-healing properties, which can be used in thermal insulation, seismic high-rise buildings and long-span bridges.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39235-5

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