Читать книгу Sustainable Nanotechnology - Группа авторов - Страница 39

The construction industry is a significant contributor to the world’s economy. According to the Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics, China, United States, and India will experience an 85% growth in construction by 2030 [122]. It is important to consider enhancing the materials and functional properties of the construction [123]. Concrete, a predominantly used material in construction, is composed of several ingredients that have their own disadvantages. Nanomaterials can be used to alter and improve the properties of concrete. For example, adding nanosilica to concrete can improve its resistance to segregation, increases its strength of hardening, prevents calcium leaching, and decreases the ability to absorb water. In addition, using fiber sheets containing nanosilica particles and hardeners can increase the strength and durability of existing structures [124]. Some of the already mentioned nanomaterials, such as CNTs, can also be used to improve the mechanical properties of concrete [125]. During concrete production, the soil is endangered due to the carbon emission caused by the process. To prevent this, nano‐aggregate, such as C–S–H gel, can be added to concrete. This gel is able to breathe carbon dioxide into carbon and oxygen and decrease the amount of carbon emission [126]. Steel is another vital component of the construction industry due to its properties such as strength, corrosion resistance, welding ability, and low cost. The American Iron Steel Institute and the US Navy have developed steel with higher strength than usual by adding nanomaterials such as carbon nanoparticles and CNTs. This also makes the steel more cost‐effective [127].