SynSilable · Synthesis and Utilization of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for more sustainable and durable cementitious composites
Horizon Europe — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2023-09-01 → 2025-10-31
- EU contribution
- €175,920
- Participants
- 5
- Scheme
- HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF
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Results in brief
Synthesis and Utilization of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for more sustainable and durable cementitious composites
SynSilable was conceived in the context of the urgent need to decarbonise the construction sector while maintaining safety, durability and affordability of infrastructure. Ordinary Portland cement is responsible for a significant share of global CO2 emissions, and many EU policies and strategies, including the European Green Deal and the Renovation Wave, call for rapid reductions in clinker content and for longer lasting, resource efficient structures. However, many low clinker or alternative binders suffer from slow early strength development and uncertainties regarding their microstructural performance, which can limit their uptake in practice. The overall objective of SynSilable is to explore mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) as a family of nano additives tailored for cement based materials, and to clarify how they can support faster and more reliable early age performance while improving microstructural refinement. The project combines synthesis and characterisation of different MSNs with systematic testing in cement pastes, mortars and selected concretes, and with a screening life cycle assessment. This pathway allows the project to link nano scale mechanisms, such as nucleation and pozzolanic reactions, to macroscopic properties like early strength and durability indicators, and then to assess whether potential performance gains can translate into lower clinker contents and reduced embodied CO2 in realistic applications. By generating a consistent experimental data set and clear mechanistic understanding, SynSilable is expected to help researchers and industry identify where MSNs are technically meaningful, and under which conditions their environmental and economic impact is positive. The results can support improved mix design for repair mortars, precast elements and other high performance applications where early strength is critical, thereby contributing to EU efforts to reduce emissions from cement production and extend the service life of infrastructure assets. The topic does not require formal integration of social sciences and humanities, and the work is therefore focused on materials science and engineering aspects.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
The current project purposes to produce ultra-high performance concrete, especially at early age, and also to further reduce cement consumption using novel nanotechnology techniques. Due to the fact that concrete is the most important building material and also one of the largest sources of air pollution, it is necessary to improve its performance. The slow process of increasing the strength of concrete and barriers to the use of nanomaterials justify the need to use new technology. To achieve this, using mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been considered due to their high chemical activity and suitable dispersibility. In this study using MSNs in concrete will be dealt with for the first time.MSNs are synthesized and optimized in this study and then will be used in different amounts in cement composites to examine the micro structure, durability and mechanical properties. The methodology of the project is divided into three section: 1- Synthesizing and investigating MSNs 2- Examining the properties of cement paste containing MSNs 3- Investigating of properties of concrete containing MSN and doing LCA.Conducting the project in KU Leuven with its global facilities, working with prof. Ozlem, and also interdisciplinary nature of this study, will give the applicant this opportunity to be trained in different terms including becoming familiar with equipment, synthesizing, analyzing the micro structure of concrete, and managing project. These help him to fill his research gap. Furthermore, given the two-way science interaction nature of this project, it can open a new research path at KU Leuven. Considering the applicant’s current experience in concrete and the experience he will gain in this project, it is expected that he will become an independent scientist in concrete chemistry at academia or industry. The output of the project can lead to the production of sustainable products in line with EU policies, reduce project time and improve the performance of concrete.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN · LeuvenCoordinatorBelgium
- CRH NEDERLAND BV · AmsterdamNetherlands
- Mapei AS · SagstuaCountry levelNorway
- NORGES TEKNISK-NATURVITENSKAPELIGE UNIVERSITET NTNU · TrondheimNorway
- UNIVERSIDAD DE MALAGA · MALAGASpain
Links
- View on CORDIS
- DOI: 10.3030/101064929
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e50ba5a79b&appId=PPGMS
- https://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/documents/downloadPublic?documentIds=080166e5238a74b2&appId=PPGMS
Data: CORDIS, © European Union