ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the main particles suitable for cement-based materials, the main dispersing techniques of nanoinclusions in a cementitious matrix, and the issues related to the effects on health and on the environment related to their use. Different types of inclusions for cementitious materials, with various characteristics and properties, are available in the market and their number is constantly growing. An optimal dispersion of inclusions in a material determines the reliability and stability of the sensing and mechanical properties, the enhancement of the filler efficiency, and the decrease of the mechanical energy for mixing. Chemical methods use covalent surface modification through surface functionalization of nanoparticles in order to improve their chemical compatibility with the matrix, enhancing their wettability and reducing their tendency to agglomerate. The nanoparticle fillers most used for engineering applications are carbon-based ones.
