Exploiting Nanoparticles to Improve the Properties of Bitumens and Asphalts: At What Extent Is It Really Worth It?

Applied Sciences

Domenico Lombardo¹  Pietro Calandra²  Cesare Oliviero Rossi³  Valeria Loise³  Paolino Caputo³  Michele Porto³ 

[1] CNR-IPCF, National Research Council—Institute for the Physico-Chemical Processes—Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Acontres, 98158 Messina, Italy;CNR-ISMN, National Research Council—Institute for the Study of Nanostructured Materials, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Stazione (RM), Italy;Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende (CS), Italy;

关键词: nanoparticles;    bitumen;    asphalts;    surface functionalization;   

DOI  :  10.3390/app10155230

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Asphalt concretes are materials used worldwide. It is well-known that in such materials the minor component, the bitumen, plays the most important role since it binds the high fraction (>95%) of inorganic macrometer-sized particles ensuring a coherent material fit for uses in road pavement. Additives can be used to increase the overall rheological properties, with high benefits in terms of resistance to mechanical stress and to ageing. Among these, nanoparticles have recently been considered as very effective additives in increasing the overall performance, increasing the viscosity, the rutting parameter and the recovery from deformation. However, they are expensive, so a delicate equilibrium between costs and benefits must be found for large-scale uses. In this framework, we furnish our critical analysis of the state-of-the art technologies used for improving the bitumen performances by means of nanoparticles with an eye to eventual added-values (like anti-oxidant effect, antistripping properties, or UV radiation screening which avoids radiation-induced ageing…). We will critically consider the costs involved in their use and we will give our opinion about vanguard techniques which can be fit for the analysis of nanoparticles-containing bitumens and asphalts. Interesting perspectives will be also given for future research and applications.

【 授权许可】

Unknown