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Hydrophobic Polymeric Additives toward a Long-Term Robust Carbonaceous Mudstone Slope
Hongyuan Fu1,2, Caiying Chen1, Huanyi Zha2
1School of Traffic & Transportation Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China.
Polymers
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) significantly enhances carbonaceous mudstone (CM) slope stability by increasing hydrophobicity and mechanical strength. This cost-effective additive offers a promising solution for ultra-stable, long-lasting CM slopes in challenging environments.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Carbonaceous mudstone (CM) slopes in Southwest China are prone to geological disasters, particularly under rainfall.
- Developing stable and cost-effective additives for CM slopes remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as a hydrophobic additive for enhancing CM slope mechanical strength and long-time stability.
- To assess the effectiveness of PVDF in improving hydrophobicity and mechanical properties of CM.
Main Methods:
- Uniform dispersion of PVDF within the CM matrix through interfacial interaction.
- Measurement of contact angle to evaluate hydrophobicity.
- Assessment of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and tensile strength (TS) before and after modification and aging.
Main Results:
- PVDF modification resulted in excellent hydrophobicity, with a contact angle of 103.95° for PVDF-modified CM (PVDF-MCM).
- UCS and TS of PVDF-MCM were significantly enhanced to 4.07 MPa and 1.96 MPa, respectively, compared to pristine CM (~0 MPa).
- PVDF-MCM retained substantial strength (UCS: 3.24 MPa, TS: 1.03 MPa) after 28 days of curing in high humidity.
Conclusions:
- PVDF effectively improves the hydrophobicity of CM, leading to superior mechanical stability.
- PVDF is a promising, cost-effective additive for developing ultra-stable and long-lifetime carbonaceous mudstone slopes.
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