Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced Portland Cement Composites for Smoke Detection

Abstract

Smoke detection with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/cement composites have been studied. Pellets of MWCNTs reinforced Portland cement have been casted with varying MWCNTs %. The DC transient studies depicted an increase in conductivity when exposed to smoke. Responsivity in the range 26-46% has been obtained under smoky environment based on MWCNTs % in the composites. Ionic conductivity increased with frequency at room temperature under ambient and smoky environments. In this paper, we also report fabrication technique of the pellets and the sensing mechanism is explained on the basis of ionic conductivity of the cementitious material in combination with the conductive carbon fibers present in the porous matrix of the cement.