Carbon nanotube-stabilized three-phase-foams

Lightweight constructions have in many ways advantages through efficient use of materials. By biomimetic approaches, new possibilities are offered in materials science. In a new approach, three-phase-foams, which contain chemically reactive nanomaterials, were combined with carbon nanotubes to further improve foam stability and microstructure. The foam was designed in such a way that an application in inorganic binders as well as a separate material after a chemical treatment is possible. This approach enables a high stability of the particle-stabilized inorganic foams without drain within 60 min and low densities up to 90 kg/m3. Additionally, due to a pozzolanic hardening, reaction products were built, which result in further stabilization of the pore structure. Implementation of carbon nanotubes causes not only smaller pore sizes but also smaller border or lamellae widths. Furthermore, they act as seeds for the formation of calcium–silicate–hydrates (C–S–H) phases or other strengthening reaction products. Investigations of the phase development and microstructure of the achieved carbon nanotube-stabilized foams will be shown and explained. Additionally, a first hypothesis about the interaction mechanism between the used nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, and surfactant is described.