A comparative study of mixing nano particles in the bitumen by dry and wet method

Pavement deterioration owing to rutting, fatigue, and stripping provides substantial issues, needing early rehabilitation to avoid accidents and delays. Given the high costs of pavement repair and reconstruction, the use of additives to extend pavement life emerges as an economically viable approach. While previous initiatives have used admixtures such as crumb rubber, cement, and geosynthetics to improve asphalt binder qualities, this research focuses on improving stripping, rutting, fatigue resistance, and viscosity by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Methanol was used as a solvent in the present research to ensure uniform dispersion of CNTs, resolving a recurring issue. Mixing was ensured effectively by using a high-shear mixer that functioned for 40–45 minutes at 300–4800 rpm. To figure out how CNTs affected the performance of asphalt binder, various ratios of 0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%, and 1.2% were investigated. The use of carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs), graphene nanoparticles (GNPs), and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as bitumen modifiers shows potential for improving the quality of asphalt binder. MWCNTs excellent tensile strength and heat resistance make them ideal for transportation engineering applications. However, challenges exist in CNT preparation, economic implications, and attaining homogeneous dispersion in bitumen. The investigation involves the creation of nine modified bitumen samples utilizing both wet and dry mixing procedures. The findings demonstrate that GNPs have a significant potential to improve bitumen stiffness properties. Furthermore, a higher percentage of nanocomposite resulted in reduced penetration, softening point, and ductility values, enhancing bitumen stiffness and resistance to rutting. Despite promising results, challenges regarding CNT preparation, cost-effectiveness, and uniform dispersion in bitumen indicate the need for additional research and development in this area.