Effect of adding nanofibrillated cellulose pulp on the properties of coating mortars

ABSTRACT

The incorporation of additions of cellulose-based nanomaterials to cementitious materials is interesting because it uses a renewable raw material that is widely available globally. This research sought to evaluate the effect of adding nanofibrillated cellulose pulp (NFC) in coating mortars. A reference mix (1:2:8, by volume) was produced, and three other mixes, with the addition of NFC pulp at the levels of 1.5%, 2.5%, and 3.5%, about the mass of cement. The mortars were evaluated in the fresh state (consistency, bulk density, air content and rheological behavior by the squeeze-flow method) and, hardened (water absorption by capillarity, immersion, and compressive strength), The results showed that, in the fresh state, the greatest differences in the reference mortar were presented by NFC_3.5% mortar. In addition, as the NFC pulp content increased, there was a reduction in the spreading capacity of the mortars, and an increase in the index of water absorption by capillarity and immersion and it was also evidenced that the compressive strength gain occurred later. Samples with NFC pulp were statistically equal to the reference ones about compressive strength in most cases.

Keywords
nanomaterials; nanofibrillated cellulose; coating mortar