Development of Nanomaterial-incorporated High-performance Lightweight Polyurethane Foam Concrete
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 15, No 1 (March 2026) pp. 586-602
Abstract
Lightweight concrete offers low density and good workability, but is often limited by reduced strength and durability. This study enhances polyurethane foam concrete (PUFC) through the incorporation of nano-alumina (NA), nano-silica (NS), and nano-graphene oxide (NGO) at optimized dosages, resulting in PUFC–NA, PUFC–NS, and PUFC–NGO mixes. Microstructural observations supported the presence and uniform dispersion of nanomaterials within the cementitious matrix. A comprehensive evaluation of rheology, drainage, mechanical strength, shrinkage, and durability was performed. PUFC–NGO achieved a compressive strength of 28 N/mm² at 28 days, compared with 15 N/mm² for the control mix. In addition, both split tensile strength and flexural strength exhibited increases of approximately 50% compared with the control mix, while shrinkage was reduced by about 30%. Chloride ion penetration measured at 90 days showed a reduction of nearly 37%, indicating improved durability. Overall improvements included approximately 35% reduction in shrinkage, 37% reduction in chloride ion penetration, and about 50% enhancement in tensile and flexural strength relative to the control mix. The findings demonstrate that nano-graphene oxide is particularly effective in enhancing the mechanical performance, dimensional stability, and durability of polyurethane foam concrete, thereby improving its suitability for lightweight structural applications.
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