Performance of Nanotechnology in Cementitious Materials: Synthesis and Application.

Cementitious materials are indispensable in the construction industry and in urban development worldwide because cement pastes, mortars, and concrete provide mechanical strength, high durability, and excellent stability to various structures that are used in a lot of civil works. Owing to the impact and relevance of these materials, it is indispensable to frequently seek ways to improve their properties and characteristics. In recent years, the development of nanomaterials such as nanoparticles (NPs) and nanofibers (NFs) has allowed cementitious materials to improve their mechanical, thermal, chemical, and durability properties, among others. This can be associated with the fact that nanomaterials allow for improved cement hydration by retaining water in the mix, helping to define a more uniform microstructure and, therefore, significantly reducing porosity, which prevents contamination such as from the entry of external agents into the structure. In addition to providing an overview of the effects of using nanomaterials on enhancing the properties of cementitious materials, this review includes the most widely used nanomaterial synthesis methods in recent years and the contribution of these nanomaterials to sustainable and environmentally friendly construction.