Review of Nanomaterials in Pavement Engineering

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-10-2025

Department

Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering

Abstract

As one of the most widely used pavement materials worldwide, asphalt is renowned for its exceptional waterproofing, adhesion, durability, and bonding properties. However, the rapid growth in traffic loads and driving speeds in recent years has significantly shortened the service life of asphalt pavements, leading to increased maintenance demands and heightened accident risks due to deteriorated pavement conditions. These challenges underscore the urgent need to enhance the asphalt pavement performance to meet the evolving demands of modern transportation. The advent of nanomaterials, with their unique size-dependent properties and surface effects, presents promising opportunities for improving the performance of asphalt mixtures. This paper provides a comprehensive review of various nanomaterials with potential applications in asphalt modification, focusing on their material characteristics, mechanisms of action, and evaluation methods. The findings demonstrate that incorporating nanoparticles can markedly enhance asphalt’s properties, including its viscosity, stiffness, elasticity, fatigue resistance, aging resistance, and ultraviolet radiation resistance, thereby improving pavement quality and prolonging service life. While challenges remain, including high costs, limited scalability, and environmental concerns, a life cycle analysis suggests that the long-term economic benefits of nanomaterials, such as reduced maintenance costs and extended pavement lifespan, make them a viable solution for road engineering. Future research should prioritize the development of effective dispersion techniques, the mitigation of environmental impacts, and the assessment of long-term performance to facilitate the sustainable and large-scale application of nanomaterials in road infrastructure.

Publisher's Statement

Copyright © 2025 American Chemical Society

Publication Title

ACS Applied Nano Materials

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