The Effect of Different Nanomaterials on the Long-term Aging Properties of Bitumen.

Effect of expanded vermiculite (EVMt) and nano-zinc oxide on thermal-oxidative (pressurized aging vessel, in situ thermal aging) and ultraviolet (UV) aging was investigated. The results show that organic expanded vermiculite (OEVMt) modified bitumen forms an exfoliated nanostructure. The morphology of bitumen is significantly influenced by two nanomaterials according to atomic force microscopy. The influence of different nanomaterials on long-term aging resistance of bitumen depends on their structures and shielding function to UV radiation. Thermo-oxidative aging resistance of bitumen can be effectively improved with the introduction of OEVMt, while nano-zinc oxide has obvious improvements in UV aging resistance of bitumen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]