An Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Nano-TiO2 Particles on the Properties of Concrete

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 04 Issue: 07 | July -2017 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT OF NANO-TiO2 PARTICLES
ON THE PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE
Abdul Hafiz S. B.1, Dr. K. B. Prakash2
1Student-M.Tech-Structural Engineering, Government Engineering College, Haveri, Karnataka, India.
2Principal, Government Engineering College, Haveri, Karnataka, India.
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Abstract – This paper deals with an experimental
investigation conducted on the properties of concrete to
know the mechanical properties and durability of concrete
on addition of Nano-TiO2 particles. Cement is replaced by
Nano-TiO2 particles in different percentage, such as 0%,
0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% & 2.0% respectively. The study is done on
M30 grade of concrete. The Nano-TiO2 particles have been
very effective for the replacement of cement at 1.0% for the
strength parameter and durability when compared to
normal concrete.
Key Words: Nano-TiO2, compressive strength, flexural
strength, split tensile strength, shear strength, impact
strength, soroptivity.
1. INTRODUCTION
Concrete is considered as material of the 21st century due to
its functional use in the structures, buildings, factories,
bridges and airports. The improvement in the concrete
strength and durability is needed because of rapid
population explosion and technology. To improve concrete
properties, different supplementary cementatious material
or SCMs are added. Fly ash, blast furnace slag, rice husk,
silica fume and even bacteria are some ofthesupplementary
cementatious materials.
Nanotechnology is a rising field of scienceidentifiedwith the
comprehension and control ofmatteratthenano-scale,i.e.at
measurements between roughly 1-100 nm. Nanotechnology
includes nano-scale science, designing and innovation that
included imaging, measuring, displaying and controlling at
this length scale. In the serviceability record arrangement of
units, the prefix "nano" implies 1-billionth or 10-9. Along
these lines 1 nm is 1-billionth of a meter. Nano-powders
(grain size, 1-100nm) have high surface area hence it
enhance the chemical, optical and mechanical properties. It
is anticipated that addition of nanopowdersintocomposites
will increase strength, reducevoids,and improveselfcontrol
and cleaning.
Incorporating of nano-particles in order to improve the
durability of concrete is rarely reported. Therefore
introducing some nano-particles which probably could
improve the mechanical and durability properties of
cementatious composites is inherent. Due to the new
potential uses of nano-particles, there is a global interest in
the investigation of the influence of nano particles in
construction materials especially cements mortar and
concrete. The nano scale size of particles can result in
dramatically improved properties from conventional grain-
size materials of the same chemical composition. There are
several reports on merging nano-particlesinconcrete which
most of them have focused on using SiO2 nano particles.
Nano-TiO2 particles containing concrete acts by triggering
photo catalytic degradation of the pollutants, such as NOx,
carbon monoxide, VOCs, chlorophenols and aldehydes from
vehicle and industrial emissions. Self-cleaning and de-
polluting concrete products are already being produced for
use in the facades of buildings and in paving materials for
roads and have been used in EuropeandJapan.Inadditionto
imparting self-cleaning properties,a fewstudieshaveshown
that nano-TiO2 can accelerate the early-age hydration of
Portland cement, improve compressive and flexural
strengths, and enhances the abrasion resistance ofconcrete.
2. EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION
2.1. Material used
2.1.1. Ordinary Portland cement.
Ordinary Portland cement of 43 grade confirming to IS
8112:1989 is used. The chemical composition and cement
properties are given in table-1 and table-2.
Table 1: Chemical composition of cement.
Composition Percentage (%)
CaO 61
SiO2 23
Al2O3 05
CaSO4 04
FeO3 03
MgO 02
S 01
Alkalis 01
Table 2: Properties of cement.
Properties Results
Specific gravity 3.15
Normal consistency 33%

Initial setting time 90 min
Final setting time 410 min
2.1.2. Nano-TiO2
TiO2 nano-particles with particles size of 30-40 nm were
used. The composition of nano–TiO2 is tabulated in table-3.
Table 3: Properties of Nano-TiO2.
Particle purity 99.9%
Molecular formula TiO2
Average particle size 30-40 nm
Specific surface area 200-20 m2/g
Bulk density 0.15-0.25 g/cm3
Color White
Morphology Spherical
Atomic weight 79.8658 g/mol
2.1.3. Fine aggregate
Fine aggregate confirming to Zone II as per IS 383 – 1970
and specific gravity 2.72 is used in experiment.
2.1.4. Coarse aggregate
Locally available 20mm and down size aggregates are used.
The properties of coarse aggregate are organized in table-4.
Table 4: Properties of coarse aggregate
Properties Results
Size of coarse aggregate 20mm down angular
Specific gravity 2.74
Loose density 1449 kg/m3
Compacted density 1600 kg/m3
2.2. Experimental procedure
 Moulds are cleaned, lightly oiled and properly fixed.
 Take water, cement, sand, aggregate in the proportion
as 0.45:1:1.53:2.62 (M30, mix design as per IS-10262-
2009).
 Make the fresh concrete by replacing the cement by
different percentage of Nano-TiO2 (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%,
1.5% and 2.0%).
 After conducting workability tests pour theconcretein
to moulds and ensure proper compaction.
 After 24 hours of time, de-mould the specimen and
transfer into the curing tank carefully. Take the
specimen for testing after 28 days from curing tank.
 Provide 24 hours of drying period for specimen in
atmosphere before conducting tests.
3. TEST RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1.1. Initial setting time and final setting time
It is observed that initial setting timeandfinal settingtimeof
cement matrix goes on decreasing as the percentage
replacement of cement by TiO2 nano-particles increase.This
may be due to the fact that the nano- TiO2 particles fill all the
pores of the cement matrixtherebydecreasingtheinitial and
final setting time. The results are tabulated in table-5 and
variation of initial setting time and final setting time is
shown in figure-1.
Table 5: Initial and final setting time
% replacement of
cement by Nano-
TiO2
Initial setting
time (min)
Final setting
time (min)
0% 90 410
0.5% 80 380
1.0% 70 350
1.5% 65 300
2.0% 60 280
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Percentage replacement of
cement by Nano-TiO2
InitialandFinalSettingtime(min)
Final
setting
time
(min)
Initial
setting
time
(min)
Figure 1: Variation of initial and final setting time.
3.1.2. Workability tests
It is observed that the workability of concrete produced by
replacing cement by Nano-TiO2 particles as measured from
slump, compaction factor, percentage flow and Vee-Bee
degrees goes on decreasing as the Nano-TiO2 percentage
increase. This may be due to the fact that the Nano-TiO2
particles make the concrete stiff and stickytherebyreducing
the flow. The results are tabulated in table-6.

Table 6: Workability test results.
Percentage
replacement
of cement by
Nano-TiO2
Slum
p
(mm)
Compact
ion
factor
Vee-Bee
(seconds
)
Flow
percent
age
0% 25 0.96 10 34
0.5% 15 0.92 13 32
1.0% 0 0.87 16 30.5
1.5% 0 0.81 21 25.5
2.0% 0 0.78 24 25
3.1.3. Near surface characteristics
It is observed that the water absorption and soroptivity of
concrete produced by replacing cement by Nano-TiO2
particles show minimum value at 1% replacement.After 1%
replacement the water absorption and soroptivity values
increase. This may be due to the fact that at 1% replacement
of cement by TiO2 nano-particles all the pores of concrete
will be filled by giving a compactmicrostructuretoconcrete.
The results are tabulated in table-7 and variation of water
absorption and soroptivity is shown in figure-2 and figure-3
respectively.
Table 7: Near surface characteristics
Percentage
replacemen
t of cement
by Nano-
TiO2
Water
absorp
tion
(%)
Percent
age
variatio
n
Soroptivi
ty
(mm/mi
n0.5)
Percent
age
variatio
n
0%
(Reference)
0.58 0 20.12 0
0.5% 0.49 -15.51 18 -10.53
1.0% 0.39 -32.75 15 -25.44
1.5% 0.73 25.86 20.12 0
2.0% 0.6 3.44 15.21 24.40
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Percentage replacement of cement by
Nano-TiO2
Waterabsorption(%)
Figure 2: Variation of water absorption
0
5
10
15
20
25
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Percentage replacement of cement by
Nano-TiO2
Soroptivity
(mm/min^0.5)
Figure 3: Variation of soroptivity
3.1.4. Hardened tests on concrete
3.1.4.1. Compressive strength
It is observed that the compressive strength of concrete
produced by replacing cement by TiO2 nano-particles show
higher value at 1% replacement. After 1% replacement the
compressive strength decreases. The percentage increase in
the compressive strength at 1% replacement is found to be
2.05%. This may be due to the fact that at 1% replacement of
cement by TiO2 nano-particles all the pores of concrete will
be filled by imparting a dense micro structure to concrete.
Also it may be due to the fact that the Nano-TiO2 particles act
as pozzolona and the pozzolanic reaction enhances the
compressive strength of concrete. The results are tabulated
in table-8 and variation of compressive strength is shown in
figure-4.
Table 8: Results of compressive strength
Percentage
replacement
of cement by
Nano-TiO2
Compressive
strength
(MPa)
Percentage variation
of compression
strength with respect
to reference concrete
0%
(Reference)
36.43 0%
0.5% 35.26 -3.21%
1.0% 37.18 2.05%
1.5% 33.77 -7.03%
2.0% 31.55 -13.39%

28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Percentage replacement of cement by Nano-TiO2
Compressivestrength(MPa)
Figure 4: Variation of compressive strength
3.1.4.2. Split tensile strength
It is observed that the split tensile strength of concrete
produced by replacing cement by TiO2 nano-particles show
higher value at 1% replacement. After 1% replacement the
split tensile strength decreases. The percentage increase in
the split tensile strength at 1% replacement is found to be
14.67%. This may be due to the fact that at 1% replacement
of cement by TiO2 nano-particles all the pores of concrete
will be filled by imparting a dense micro structure to
concrete. Also it may be due to the fact that the Nano-TiO2
particles act as pozzolona and the pozzolanic reaction
enhances the split tensile strength of concrete. The results
are tabulated in table-9 and variationofsplittensilestrength
is shown in figure-5.
Table 9: Results of split tensile strength
Percentage
replacement of
cement by Nano-
TiO2
Split
tensile
strength
(MPa)
of split tensile
strength with respect
toreferenceconcrete
0% (Reference) 3.34 0%
0.5% 2.54 -23.95%
1.0% 2.87 -14.67%
1.5% 2.54 -23.95%
2.0% 2.51 -24.85%
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Splittensilestrength
(MPa)
Figure 5: Variations of split tensile strength
3.1.4.3. Flexural strength
It is observed that the flexural strengthofconcreteproduced
by replacing cement by TiO2 nano-particles show higher
value at 1% replacement. After 1% replacement the flexural
strength decreases. The percentage increase in the flexural
strength at 1% replacement is found to be 16.36%.Thismay
be due to the fact that at 1% replacement of cement by TiO2
nano-particles all the pores of concrete will be filled by
imparting a dense micro structuretoconcrete.Alsoitmay be
due to the fact that the Nano-TiO2 particles act as pozzolona
and the pozzolanic reactionenhancestheflexural strength of
concrete. The results are tabulated in table-10 and variation
of flexural strength is shown in figure-6.
Table 10: Results of flexural strength
Percentage
replacement
of cement by
Nano-TiO2
Flexural
strength
(MPa)
Percentage
variation of flexural
strength with
respect to reference
concrete
0%
(Reference)
5.5 0%
0.5% 4.6 -18.90%
1.0% 6.4 16.36%
1.5% 4.86 -11.63%
2.0% 4.2 -23.63%
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Flexuralstrength(MPa)
Figure 6: Variation of flexural strength
3.1.4.4. Shear strength
It is observed that the shear strength of concrete produced
value at 1% replacement. After 1% replacement the shear
strength decreases. The percentage increase in the shear
strength at 1% replacement is found to be 12.97%.Thismay
be due to the fact that at 1% replacement of cement by TiO2
nano-particles all the pores of concrete will be filled by
imparting a dense micro structuretoconcrete.Alsoitmay be
due to the fact that the Nano-TiO2 particles act as pozzolona
and the pozzolanic reaction enhances the shear strength of
of shear strength is shown in figure-7.

Table 11: Results of shear strength
Percentage
replacement
of cement by
Nano-TiO2
Shear
strength
(MPa)
of shear strength
with respect to
reference concrete
0%
(Reference)
7.86 0
0.5% 7.12 -9.14
1.0% 8.88 12.97
1.5% 5.36 -31.80
2.0% 5.00 -36.38
0
2
4
6
8
10
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Percentage repalcement of cement by Nano-
TiO2
Shearstrength(MPa)
Figure 7: Variation of shear strength
3.1.4.5. Impact strength
It is observed that the impact strength of concrete produced
value at 1% replacement. After 1% replacement the impact
strength decreases. The percentage increase in the impact
strength for initial crack and final failure at 1% replacement
is found to be 1.19% & 22.88%. This may be due to the fact
that at 1% replacement of cement by TiO2 nano-particles all
the pores of concrete will be filled by imparting a dense
micro structure to concrete. Also it may be due to the fact
that the Nano-TiO2 particles act as pozzolona and the
pozzolanic reaction enhances the impact strength of
of impact strength is shown in figure-8.
Table 12: Results of impact strength
Percentage
replacement
of cement
by Nano-
TiO2
Impact
strength
for initial
crack (N-
m)
Percentage
variation of
impact
strength for
initial crack
with respect
to reference
concrete
Impact
strength
for final
failure
(N-m)
Percentage
variation of
impact
strength for
final failure
with respect to
reference
concrete
0%
(Reference)
4884.1 0% 5956.03 0%
0.5% 3592.0 -26.45% 3701.7 -37.84%
1.0% 4825.92 -1.19% 4592.85 -22.88%
1.5% 2248.45 -53.96% 2296.40 -61.44%
2.0% 1987.96 -59.29% 2035.94 -65.81%
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Percentage replacement of
cement by Nano-TiO2
Impactstrength(N-m)
Initial
crack
strength
Final
failure
strength
Figure 8: Variation of impact strength
4. Conclusions
Following conclusion may be drawn based on the test
results:
 The initial and final setting time of cement matrix goes
on decreasing as the percentage replacement of cement
by Nano-TiO2 particles increase.
 The workability of concrete produced by replacing
cement by Nano-TiO2 particlesgoesondecreasingasthe
percentage replacement increase.
 The least value of water absorption for concrete is
obtained by replacing 1% cement by TiO2 nano-
particles.
 The least value of soroptivity for concrete isobtained by
replacing 1% cement by TiO2 nano-particles.
 The higher value of compressive strengthforconcreteis
obtained by replacing 1% of cement by Nano-TiO2
particles.
 The higher value of split tensile strength for concrete is
particles.
 The higher value of flexural strength for concrete is
particles.
 The higher value of impact strength for concrete is
particles.
 The higher value of shear strength for concrete is
particles.
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BIOGRAPHY:
ABDUL HAFIS S B holds a B.E. in
Civil engineering from KLEIT,
Hubli, Karnataka.Pursuing M.Tech
in Structural engineering from
Government Engineering College,
Haveri (Karnataka).
Dr. K. B. Prakash B.E, M.E, PhD, is
the Principal of Government
Engineering College, Haveri
(Karnataka). He has 30 years of
teaching experience and his area
of specialization is Structural
Engineering. His research
interests are chemical admixtures,
pozzolanas, light weight concrete,
self curing concrete, self
compacting concrete, recycled
aggregate in concrete, alternate
material for sand, fiber reinforced
concrete, etc. He has published
more than 200 technical papers in
various technical journals and has
guided 15 candidates for PhD.

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