Mechanical and Microstructural Characterization of Carbon Nanofiber–Reinforced Geopolymer Nanocomposite Based on Lunar Regolith Simulant
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 1
Abstract
Using the Moon’s natural resources to build infrastructure is the first step toward lunar colonization. Lunar regolith, rich in aluminosilicate, has the potential to prepare geopolymer for construction. In this paper, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were added to geopolymers based on lunar regolith simulant, aiming at reinforcing mechanical and microstructural properties. A ball-milling method of CNF dispersion into the lunar regolith simulant was evaluated. The mechanical properties of the resulting geopolymer nanocomposites was investigated. X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, and mercury intrusion porosimetry were used to characterize the microstructural properties. The results indicated that the mechanical properties were improved by CNFs and that the optimal content was 0.3% by weight. Also, flexural strength, Young’s modulus, flexural toughness, peak displacement, and compressive strength were reinforced by 34.8%, 7.5%, 83.9%, 21.4%, and 13.1%, respectively. Microstructural results suggested that the CNFs acted as nucleation, fillers, and bridges in the nanocomposites, leading to lower porosity, higher energy requirement for failure, and higher mechanical properties, which are considerable for lunar-based construction.
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Data Availability Statement
No data, models, or code were generated or used during the study.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51978029) and the Department of Transportation of Shandong Province (No. 2018BZ4).
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 1 • January 2022
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 9, 2021
Accepted: May 12, 2021
Published online: Oct 21, 2021
Published in print: Jan 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Mar 21, 2022
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