Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

ScienceDirect
Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 12191–12197 www.materialstoday.com/proceedings

ICNANO 2016

Investigation of nano-alumina on the effect of durability and micro-

structural properties of the cement mortar
Raje Gowdaa, H Narendraa, BM Nagabushanc, Dinesh Rangappab, R Prabhakaraa*
a
M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Department of Civil Engineering, Bengaluru-560010, INDIA
b
VTU PG centre Mudhenalli, , Department of Civil Engineering, Bengaluru-560010, INDIA
c
M S Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Dept. of Chemistry, Bangalore-560010, INDIA

Abstract

The current article reports on investigation of nano-alumina (NA) on the effect of durability and micro-structural properties of the
cement mortar. For this purpose 1, 3 and 5 percent of NA by weight of cement was used to replace the initial quantity of cement
in the mortar. Durability of the cement mortar was measured through Water Absorption (WA) and Electrical Resistivity (ER)
tests. From the studies conducted, it was found that the addition of NA significantly increased the ER but showed only minor
variations in the WA. The micro-structural analysis was conducted using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was observed
that the micro-structural properties increased with the incorporation of NA. The so obtained results were compared with the
results of the cement mortar without any inclusion of NA.
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NANOTECHNOLOGY (ICNANO-
2016).

Keywords: nano-alumina, water absorption, electrical resistivity, SEM

1. Introduction

Concrete is one of the largely widely used materials in the construction field. The ever increasing demand for the
enhancement in the quality of materials used has led to a more detailed study of the properties of concrete and also
the effect of addition of other materials to improve its strength and stability. Materials with a nano-scale structure

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: r.prabhakara@msrit.edu, dineshrangappa@gmail.com

2214-7853© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selection and Peer-review under responsibility of INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON NANOTECHNOLOGY (ICNANO-2016).
 12192 Raje Gowda et.al / Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 12191–12197

often have inimitable optical, electronic or mechanical properties which have resulted in intense scientific interest in
a variety of fields. They are being used in a wide assortment of products ranging from high-powered rechargeable
batteries, ceramic coatings and food containers to helmets and baseball bats. If Nano-particles are incorporated in the
conventional building materials, the newly obtained products could result in a better performance.

2. Literature Review

1. Ehsan Mohseni et al. [3] studied the single and combined effects of Nano-SiO₂ (NS), Nano-Al₂O₃ (NA) and
Nano-TiO₂ (NT) on the mechanical and durability properties of self-compacting mortar containing fly-ash. In
their study, they found that the inclusion of Nano-Silica powder increased compressive strength more
significantly at the early stages in comparison with other Nano-particle additives. However, at 28 and 90
days, there was not much significant difference among the mortars with various Nano-particles. In terms of
water absorption, for Nano-particles used singly, the best result was obtained for 5% NT. A similar level of
decrease was seen in 5% NST and 1% NSA. The inclusion of Nano-particles influences electrical resistivity
of the mixes significantly. NT gave the least probability of corrosion as it gave the best resistivity results.

2. Bibhuti BhusanMukharjee et al. [2] investigated the influence of incorporation of Nano-Silica (NS) and
recycled aggregates on compressive strength and micro-structure of concrete and concluded that the addition
of NS in the concrete mixes (both with normal and recycled aggregates) reduced the porosity of the micro-
structure as the voids were filled by NS and that the addition of NS reduced the amount of unhydrated
cement in the mix.

3. Materials and Methodology

3.1 Cement:

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) of 43 grade, confirming to BIS specifications was used to prepare the cement
mortar mix. The specific gravity of the cement was found to be 3.10 and the fineness was found to be 4% with initial
setting time as 45minutes.

3.2 M-Sand:

M-Sand passing through IS 2.35mm and retained on 90µ sieve was used to prepare the cement mortar mix. The
specific gravity and the fineness modulus was 2.26 and 3.2 respectively.

3.3 Nano-Alumina:

NA was synthesised using combustion process in the Chemistry Lab at M.S.Ramaiah Institute of Technology,
Bangalore. NA in the percentages of 1,3 and 5% by weight was used to replace cement in the mortar mix. NA was
observed under the SEM and the obtained image is shown in Fig.1. The particles were found to be flaky and
irregular in shape.
 Raje Gowda et.al / Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 12191–12197 12193

Fig.1 SEM image of NA

3.4 Water:

The normal water available in the laboratory satisfying the normal standards of potable water was used in the
cement mortar. The water cement ratio was kept constant at 0.79.

3.5 Specimen Preparation:

The mix design calculations were performed and the mix proportion was fixed as 1:6 and the quantities taken
were as shown in Table.1. Appropriate amounts of Cement and M-Sand were first uniformly mixed in a dry
condition. To this, NA was added and thoroughly mixed until a uniform dry mix was obtained. Water in the ratio of
0.79 was then added and mixed until a uniform paste was obtained.The mix was then cast in a pre-greased standard
7.05*7.05*7.05cm mould and let for drying for 24hours. After 24 hours, the cubes were demoulded and cured for 28
days at room temperature.

Table.1 Proportions of Mortar Mix for each Cube

NA (% of NA (gm)
W/C Ratio Cement (gm) M-Sand (gm)
Cement)
0% 0.79 109 654 0

1% 0.79 107.91 654 1.09

3% 0.79 105.73 654 3.27

5% 0.79 103.55 654 5.45

3.6 Water Absorption (WA):

Three standard sized cement mortar cubes for each percentage variation were used for the WA test according to
ASTM 642. The cubes were surface dried for 24 hours after 28 days curing and then placed in the oven at 105°C for
not less than 24 hours and weighed at regular intervals until the weight remained constant. The specimens were then
removed from the oven and cooled down to room temperature and immersed in water and weighed at regular
intervals until their weight remained unchanged. The WA was then calculated.

3.7 Electrical Resistivity:

One cube each of standard dimensions was used for the ER test. Two copper strips of equal dimensions were
placed at a standard distance away from each other in the cubes during the casting of the cubes. Care was taken so
that the distance between the strips and the distance of the strips from the edges of the mould remained constant in
12194 Raje Gowda et.al / Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 12191–12197

all the cubes. The copper strips were then connected to Multi-meter and the knob of the Multi-meter was set in the
resistance range as shown in Fig.2. The resistance readings were noted down as displayed in the Multi-meter and the
resistivity was then calculated.

Fig.2 Electrical Resistivity Set-up Fig.3 Scanning Electron Microscope

3.8 Micro-structural Analysis:

Micro-structural Images of the cubes after 28 days curing were taken using SEM (Fig.3) at IISc., Bangalore.
Three random samples of each percentage were placed under the SEM which focuses the sample with a focused
beam of electrons at 20Kv Voltage. The images thus obtained were observed for the analysis.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

4.1 Water Absorption:

Three samples each for 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% were used to measure the water absorption.
8.6

8.4
Water Absorption (%)

8.2

7.8

7.6

7.4
0% NA 1% NA 3% NA 5% NA
NA Replacement Levels (%)

Figure 4: Shows the variation of WA with the increase in NA content.

 Raje Gowda et.al / Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 12191–12197 12195

The average values were found to be 8.37%, 7.80%, 8.17% and 8.50% for 0%, 1%, 3% and 5%
respectively(Fig 4). It was observed that the addition of NA had not shown any major variations in the WA of the
cement mortar. The water absorption values were increased with varying percentages of nano-alumina respectively
at 28 days. This can be attributed to the fact that when the concentrations of nano alumina were low the pores and
smaller voids in the mortars were not completely filled and hence show increased absorption. On the other hand at
5% of NA the agglomeration results in non- uniform distribution of the NA in the mortars that leaves the pores
unfilled. These unfilled pores in mortars again help in increased absorption of water.

4.2 Electrical Resistivity:

The electrical resistivity of the mortar mix was calculated from the resistance obtained using the following formula:

Resistivity ƪ = R*A/L (1)

Where R= Resistivity measured, A= Cross-Sectional area of the copper strips and L=Distance between the two
strips.

10000
Resistivity (ohm-m)

8000

6000

4000
0%
2000 NA

0
0 500 1000
Time (min) 1500 2000

Figure 5: Shows electrical resistivity over the 24 hours of casting.

From the results (Figure 5), it was observed that initially, the cube with 3% NA displayed highest resistivity
followed by the cubes with 1%, 0% and 5%. However, with the passage of time, the cube with 5% NA had the
highest resistivity which was then followed by cubes with 3%, 0% and 1% NA.

4.3 Micro-Structural Analysis:

Figure 6 SEM of conventional mortar 0% NA Figure 7 SEM of mortar with 1% NA

12196 Raje Gowda et.al / Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 12191–12197

Figure 8 SEM of mortar with 3% NA Figure 9 SEM of mortar with 5%NA

The micro-structural images of the four different samples were taken at the scale of 5µm are shown in above
figures 6, 7, 8 & 9. The morphological features noticeably shows nano-alumina are tangled and are distributed
randomly. The nano-alumina was found to be in varying sizes and a few particles are also seen in the structure.
There was an agglomeration of NA at one particular region in figure nine and also hydrated products formed are
distributed over them.

From the SEM images, it was observed that the density of the mortar was more in the cube with 5% NA. It was
subsequently followed by the cubes with 3% and 1% NA. It was clear that the density increased with the inclusion
of NA in the mortar which could indirectly be attributed to the increased strength.

4. Conclusion

The following conclusions were drawn from the experimental results obtained:
a. Water absorption increased with the increase in the percentage of NA incorporated. The optimum
concentration of nano-alumina where the water absorption was found to be at 5%.
b. Electrical resistivity after 24 hours was almost the same for cubes with 3% and 5% NA with 5% having a
higher edge. The order of better resistivity and hence better corrosion resistant properties is as follows: 5%,
3%, 0% and 1%.
c. SEM images show that the addition of NA gave a denser micro-structure in the mortar.

Reference

[1] Hongjian Du, Suhuan Du, Xuemei Liu, Durability performances of concrete with Nano-Silica, Construction and Building Materials 73 (2014)
705-712.
[2] BibhutiBhusanMukharjee, Sudhirkumar V. Barai, Influence of incorporation of Nano-Silica and recycled aggregates on Compressive Strength
and micro-structure of concrete, Construction and Building Materials 71 (2014) 570-578.
[3] Ehsan Mohseni, BaharehMehdizadehMiyandehi, Jian Yang, Mohammad Ali Yazdi, Single and combined effects of nano-SiO2, nano-Al2O3
and nano-TiO2 on the mechanical, rheological and durability properties of self-compacting mortar containing fly-ash, Construction and
Building Materials 84 (2015) 331-340.
[4] Ali Nazari, ShadiRiahi, Al2O3 nano particles in concrete and different curing media, Energy and Bulidings 43 (2011) 1480-1488.
[5] Salim Barbhuiya, Shaswata Mukherjee, Hamid Nikraz, Effects of nano-Al2O3 on early-age micro-structural properties of cement paste,
Construction and Building Materials 52 (2014) 189-193.
[6] Nazari A, Shadi R, Shirin R, Shamekhi SF, Khademno A. Influence of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the compressive strength and workability of
blended concrete. J Journal of American Science 2010; 6: 6-9.
[7] Nazari A, Shadi R, Shirin R, Shamekhi SF, Khademno A. Mechanical properties of cement mortar with Al2O3 nanoparticles. J Journal of
American Science 2010; 64:94-97.
[8] Li Guhua, Gao Bo. Effect of level SiO2 and level CaCO3 on concret performance. J Journal of the China Railway Society 2006; 28: 131-136.
 Raje Gowda et.al / Materials Today: Proceedings 4 (2017) 12191–12197 12197

[9] LI Guhua, Gao Bo. Effect of NM level CaCO3 on performance of the concrete in drying wetting cycle in corrosive environments. J Journal of
Chongqing Jiaotong University 2007; 26: 131-135.
[10] Liu Lijun. (2009). Study on increasing the toughness of cement concrete by using nano-CaCO3/ steel fiber composite, Master Dissertation,
Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
[11] Liu Kaiqiong. (2011). Experimental study on properties of different fibers reinforced concrete, Master Dissertation, Hohai University,
Nanjing, China. Li Guhua. (2006).
[12] Mohamed Heikal, M.N.Ismail, N.S.Ibrahim, Physico-mechanical, micro-structure characteristics and fire resistance of cement pastes
containing Al2O3 Nano particles, Construction Building and Materials 91 (2015) 232-242.