Development of eco-friendly silicate-based nanoparticles for sustainable concrete infrastructure

混凝土生产主要依赖于波特兰水泥的消耗，这是一个巨大的二氧化碳排放源。此外，恶劣的环境条件，如冻融循环和除冰盐的使用，对阿尔伯塔的混凝土基础设施造成重大损害和维修成本。因此，开发生态友好和持久的混凝土材料对于保护我们的地球，降低与土木工程基础设施的维修和建设相关的成本至关重要。该项目的重点是开发和设计与水泥基基质相容的天然硅酸盐基和易于生产的纳米颗粒。纳米颗粒将被精心设计，以满足所需的性能，如表面化学，粒度和形态，以实现混凝土中的最佳功能。然后，它们将以适当的比例结合到混凝土混合物中，以获得坚固耐用的混凝土，其中波特兰水泥的量较少。这项工作将通过化学和石油教授Nassar博士与卡尔加里大学土木工程助理教授Khoshnazar博士之间的密切合作进行，Nassar博士的专业知识是纳米颗粒的开发和表征，Khoshnazar博士的专业知识是水泥和混凝土生产。这项技术将通过环保、高效和成本效益来彻底改变水泥和混凝土行业。还将培训高素质的人员，以解决与建筑业及其环境影响有关的“真实的世界”问题。

Concrete production mainly relies on the consumption of Portland cement that is a huge CO2 emitter. In addition, harsh environmental conditions such as freezing and thawing cycles and the use of de-icing salts cause significant damage and repair cost to concrete infrastructure in Alberta. Development of eco-friendly and long-lasting concrete materials is therefore essentially needed to protect our planet, and to reduce the costs associated with repair and construction of civil engineering infrastructure. This project focuses on the development and design of naturally-derived silicate-based and easy-to-produce nanoparticles that are compatible with cement-based matrix. The nanoparticles will be carefully designed to meet the required properties such as surface chemistry, particle size and morphology for optimum functionality in concrete. Then, they will be integrated in the concrete mixtures in appropriate proportions to obtain strong and durable concrete, with less amount of Portland cement. The work will be conducted through close collaboration between Dr. Nassar, Professor of Chemical and Petroleum whose expertise is on nanoparticle development and characterization, and Dr. Khoshnazar, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering whose expertise is on cement and concrete production, at the University of Calgary. This technology would revolutionize the cement and concrete industry through being environmentally sound, highly efficient, and cost effective. Highly qualified personnel will also be trained to solve "real world" problems related to construction industry and its environmental impacts.