The influence of different preparation methods on the aggregation status of pyrogenic nanosilicas used in concrete

Investigation of the effects of nanosilica materials in cementitious mixtures has attracted considerable research attention due to the very high specific surfaces of these materials. However, high surface area leads to aggregation of these materials due to high surface attraction forces, which could seriously reduce their nano filler effect. In this research the dispersion of pyrogenic nanosilicas in water and parameters influencing it were investigated. The results show that serious aggregation of pyrogenic nanosilicas in water occurs. Increasing the amount of applied forces, particularly the use of ultrasonic waves, has considerable effect in breaking aggregates into smaller aggregates with maximum size up to 0.9 mu m. Increasing the pH was found to be very effective in improving dispersion of nanosilicas and through combined use of high pH and applying high levels of energy such as ultrasonic method it is possible to break all the aggregates into primary aggregates with maximum size of about 0.06 mu m.