Polymer Nanocomposites in Building, Construction

Nanotechnology is an enabling technology allowing to do new things in almost every conceivable area. Initial efforts to exploit nanoscience/nanotechnology development in the construction industry focused mainly on understanding phenomena and improving performance of existing materials. Recently, polymer nanocomposites started to be introduced in other areas like the construction industry. Polymer nanocomposite field attracts considerable attention these days due to a variety of potential practical applications. They have offered a great opportunity in sustainable construction/green building application due to their efficiency and environmental protection. Their use in the construction industry is still less known outside the research area. This paper is a short review of recent studies done in this area, taking into account that some nano based materials are ready to be used by the construction industry. This review covers some studies done in the polymer nanocomposite applications in construction basic materials such as concrete, asphalt, thermal and sound insulation, adhesives, coatings, plastics and in energy.