Effect of superficially modified zinc oxide nanoparticles as an additive on the rheological performance of asphalt binder

Abstract

The surface effect that hinders the dispersion of nanomaterials in the asphalt binder due to the large surface area and small particle size should be investigated. Thus, this study evaluates the effect of the incorporation of superficially modified zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO M) by 3-(2.3-epoxypropoxy)propyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) in the asphalt binder with 50/70 penetration index. The additive was incorporated in contents of 3%, 5%, and 7% in weight of the bind through physical and rheological tests. Penetration tests, softening point, rotational viscosity, performance grade (PG) – before and after rolling thin film oven (RTFO), multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR), linear amplitude sweep (LAS), and master curve were performed. The addition of ZnO M nanoparticles provided the asphalt binder with more resistance to aging and oxidation in almost all properties analysed. In addition, the ZnO M increased resistance to permanent deformation, temperature field, and the integrity of the asphalt binder, thus increasing its fatigue life.

KEYWORDS:

• Asphalt binder
• nanomaterials
• rheological properties
• zinc oxide
• surface effect

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the submitted article. All authors contributed to the study conception and design. The authors have no relevant financial interests to disclose, just as there is no conflict of interest to declare that they are relevant to the content of this article. All authors certify that they have no affiliation or involvement with any organisation or entity with any financial interest in the subject or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.