Zhendong Peng

Self-healing artificial aggregate concrete balances mechanical properties and healing performance, featuring low energy consumption and controllable intelligent healing capabilities. This study systematically investigates the crack healing mechanism of self-healing artificial aggregate concrete using backscattered electron microscopy, X-ray computed tomography, and digital volume correlation. Results indicate that the microstructural performance of self-healing artificial aggregate concrete critically depends on the microstructure and bonding properties of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). A high proportion of reaction products and low porosity contributes to the enhancement of mechanical properties. A uniformly dense microstructure leads to a compound damage pattern (damage occurring evenly in the aggregate, matrix, and interface), which facilitates the nearby nucleation of unreacted particles in the self-healing artificial aggregate, thereby improving the crack healing bonding rate (reach up to 82.7%). Additionally, self-healing artificial aggregate concrete can achieve effective healing in water without the need for additional alkaline ions to drive secondary hydration reactions.

Planktonic bacteria can be eliminated by gold nanoparticles photothermia.