Project Description:

In this study, porous cement-based electrolytes with three-dimensional interconnected microporous structures will be prepared using a controllable foaming strategy. The foaming process will be tailored to adjust pore size, connectivity, and overall porosity, enabling systematic investigation of how microstructural parameters influence ionic transport and overall functional performance. Multiple formulations, incorporating different foaming agents and mix proportions, will be developed to identify mixtures that maintain adequate mechanical integrity while providing enhanced ion mobility and stable electrochemical behavior.
The resulting cementitious electrolytes will be comprehensively characterized using electrochemical techniques, including cyclic voltammetry to assess charge–discharge behavior and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to quantify ionic conductivity and interfacial resistance. These measures will be performed under varied curing conditions and testing environments to evaluate reproducibility and long-term stability. The data will correlate with microstructural observations (e.g., pore connectivity and distribution) and compressive strength results to establish quantitative relationships between pore architecture, mechanical performance, and electrochemical response. Through this approach, the project will define design guidelines for cement-based electrolytes that provide reliable functional properties suitable for integration into advanced, multifunctional civil infrastructure systems.

Outputs:

This study will generate a comprehensive experimental dataset on the performance of cementitious systems incorporating microporous cement-based electrolytes. It will systematically evaluate their electrochemical behavior using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and complementary measurements conducted under varying mix designs, pore structures, and curing conditions. By comparing results across multiple formulations and loading/monitoring regimes, the project will characterize key parameters such as charge-transfer resistance, ionic conductivity, stability under repeated cycling, and sensitivity to environmental exposure.

Through this multidimensional testing and analysis, the study will clarify how microporous cement-based electrolytes influence the functional response of multifunctional cementitious systems and how these responses evolve over time. The resulting outputs will include experimentally validated performance benchmarks, quantitative models linking microstructure to electrochemical behavior, and recommended testing protocols for future evaluation of similar materials. Collectively, these outputs will provide a robust foundation for the rational design, qualification, and deployment of advanced multifunctional cement-based materials in transportation infrastructure applications.

Outcomes/Impacts:

This project will deliver substantive outcomes in both fundamental understanding and practical implementation of multifunctional cementitious composites. It will systematically investigate how mix design parameters, foaming agents, water–binder ratios, and curing regimes influence the formation of three-dimensional pore networks and the resulting balance between mechanical performance and ionic transport behavior. By coupling electrochemical characterization with mechanical testing and microstructural analysis, the work will establish quantitative relationships between pore architecture, transport mechanisms, and durability, providing a mechanistic basis for tailoring material performance to the demands of transportation infrastructure.

The research will generate design guidelines for preparing porous cement-based systems that achieve reliable functional response without sacrificing structural integrity, offering a clear pathway for integration into pavements, bridge decks, tunnel linings, and other civil infrastructure components. These findings will inform future standards and specifications for multifunctional construction materials and provide engineers with experimentally validated mix designs and processing protocols. In the longer term, the project’s outcomes are expected to accelerate the transition from conventional, purely structural concretes to intelligent, data-enabled materials that support advanced condition monitoring, asset management, and life-cycle performance optimization in transportation engineering practice.