Properties of Inorganic Polymers Based on Ground Waste Concrete Containing CuO and ZnO Nanoparticles

The effect of copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on the mechanical and thermal properties of ground waste concrete inorganic polymers (GWC IPs) has been investigated. NPs are added to GWC IPs at loadings of 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w. The phase composition and microstructure of NPs GWC IPs have also been examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) techniques. Results show that the mechanical properties of GWC IPs are improved (23 MPa) due to addition of NPs (1% ZnO). In particular, GWC IPs embedded with 0.5% CuO and 1% ZnO NPs exhibited relatively improved compressive strength. The addition of NPs decreases the macroporosity and increases the mesoporosity of IPs matrix and decreases relatively the ability of IPs matrix to water absorption. The antimicrobial activity of GWC IPs doped with 0.5 and 1% CuO NPs against E. coli was also determined.