%0 Journal Article
%T Influences of CNT Dispersion Methods, W/C Ratios, and Concrete Constituents on Piezoelectric Properties of CNT-Modified Smart Cementitious Materials.
%A Jannat T
%A Huang Y
%A Zhou Z
%A Zhang D
%J Sensors (Basel)
%V 23
%N 5
%D Feb 2023 27
%M 36904806
%F 3.847
%R 10.3390/s23052602
%X In order to achieve effective monitoring of concrete structures for sound structural health, the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into cementitious materials offers a promising solution for fabricating CNT-modified smart concrete with self-sensing ability. This study investigated the influences of CNT dispersion method, water/cement (W/C) ratio, and concrete constituents on the piezoelectric properties of CNT-modified cementitious materials. Three CNT dispersion methods (direct mixing, sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (NaDDBS) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) surface treatment), three W/C ratios (0.4, 0.5, and 0.6), and three concrete constituent compositions (pure cement, cement/sand, and cement/sand/coarse aggregate) were considered. The experimental results showed that CNT-modified cementitious materials with CMC surface treatment had valid and consistent piezoelectric responses to external loading. The piezoelectric sensitivity improved significantly with increased W/C ratio and reduced progressively with the addition of sand and coarse aggregates.