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The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles (NTs) on the physical and mechanical properties, as well as the microstructural changes, of cementitious composites containing partially substituted natural aggregates (NAs) with aggregates derived from the following four recycled materials: glass (RGA), brick (RGB), blast-furnace slag (GBA), and recycled textolite waste with WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) as the primary source (RTA), in line with sustainable construction practices. The research methodology included the following phases: selection and characterization of raw materials, formulation design, experimental preparation and testing of specimens using standardized methods specific to cementitious composite mortars (including determination of apparent density in the hardened state, mechanical strength in compression, flexure, and abrasion, and water absorption by capillarity), and structural analysis using specialized techniques (scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)). The analysis and interpretation of the results focused primarily on identifying the effects of NT addition on the composites. Results show a decrease in density resulting from replacing NAs with recycled aggregates, particularly in the case of RGB and RTA. Conversely, the introduction of TiO2 nanoparticles resulted in a slight increase in density, ranging from 0.2% for RTA to 7.4% for samples containing NAs. Additionally, the introduction of TiO2 contributes to improved compressive strength, especially in samples containing RTA, while flexural strength benefits from a 3–4% TiO2 addition in all composites. The compressive strength ranged from 35.19 to 70.13 N/mm2, while the flexural strength ranged from 8.4 to 10.47 N/mm2. The abrasion loss varied between 2.4% and 5.71%, and the water absorption coefficient varied between 0.03 and 0.37 kg/m2m0.5, the variations being influenced by both the nature of the aggregates and the amount of NTs added. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis showed that TiO2 nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the cementitious composites, mainly forming CSH gel. TiO2 nanoparticles act as nucleating agents during early hydration, as confirmed by EDS spectra after curing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The urgent need for sustainable construction that corresponds to the three pillars of sustainable development is obvious and continuously requires innovative solutions. Cementitious composites with TiO2 nanoparticles (NT) addition show potential due to their improved durability, physico–mechanical characteristics, and self-cleaning capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of NT on cementitious composites by comparing those with 2%–5% nanoparticles with a similar control sample without nanoparticles, as well as an analysis of cost growth. The experimental results showed an increase in bulk density of the material (4.7%–7.4%), reduction in large pore sizes by min. 12.5%, together with an increase in cumulative volume and cumulative specific surface area of small pore sizes, indicating densification of the material, also supported by SEM, EDS, and XRD analyses indicating acceleration of cement hydration processes with formation of specific products. The changes at microstructural level support the experimental results obtained at macrostructural level, i.e., modest but existent increases in flexural strength (0.6%–7.9%) and compressive strength (0.2%–2.6%) or more significant improvements in abrasion resistance (8.2%–58%) and reduction in water absorption coefficient (37.5%–81.3%). Following the cost–benefit analysis, it was concluded that, for the example case considered of a pedestrian pavement with a surface area of 100 m2, using 100 mm thick slabs, if these slabs were to be made with two layers, the lower layer made of cementitious composite as a reference and the upper layer with a thickness of 10 mm made of cementitious composite with 3% NT or 4% NT, the increase in cost would be acceptable, representing less than 15% compared to the cost for the exclusive use of cementitious composite without NT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of waste from industrial activities is of particular importance for environmental protection. Fly ash has a high potential in the production of construction materials. In the present study, the use of fly ash in the production of geopolymer paste and the effect of Fe2O3, MgO and molarity of NaOH solution on the mechanical strength of geopolymer paste are presented. Samples resulting from the heat treatment of the geopolymer paste were subjected to mechanical tests and SEM, EDS and XRD analyses. Samples were obtained using 6 molar and 8 molar NaOH solution with and without the addition of Fe2O3 and MgO. Samples obtained using a 6 molar NaOH solution where Fe2O3 and MgO were added had higher mechanical strengths compared to the other samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni48.6Cu48.6Co3 alloy was studied for the realization of cube-textured substrates for YBCO coated conductors. The small amount of Co was added in order to improve the microstructure as well as the mechanical properties of the binary Ni-Cu alloy. Structural, microstructural and morphological characterizations have been carried out in order to evaluate the suitability of this substrate as a template for YBCO coated conductor application. A cube area fraction as high as 97.7% was obtained after annealing for 30 minutes at 1050° C. Further, mechanical, magnetic and electrical properties have been studied and compared with those exhibited by other Ni-based alloys. The standard CeO2/YSZ/CeO2/YBCO multilayer architecture was deposited on Pd-buffered substrate by means of PLD and characterized in order to verify the suitability of this template for YBCO coated conductor application. The obtained YBCO film is adherent, well textured with an out-of-plane distribution of 4.1° (FWHM) in rolling direction and good superconducting properties with a critical temperature of about 88 K and a critical current density of 1 MA/cm2. The obtained results demonstrate that this alloy tape is a good candidate for the production of YBCO-based coated conductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]