Micro-structure and mechanical properties of microcrystalline cellulose-sisal fiber reinforced cementitious composites developed using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as the dispersing agent

Abstract This paper reports new hierarchical cementitious composites developed using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), sisal fibers and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the dispersing agent. MCC was dispersed in water without with CTAB at different concentrations ultrasonication optimum concentration for achieving homogeneous stable suspensions found to be 40%. Hierarchical were fabricated (0.1–1.5 wt% of cement), (20 mm, 0.25% 0.50 40% tri-butyl phosphate defoaming Mechanical strengths improved significantly 0.1 MCC, which along 0.5% compressive flexural by ~ 24% 18%, respectively. The hybrid reinforcement exhibited a synergistic effect on fracture behavior improving energy up also showed fiber-matrix bonding, lower porosity absorption, superior hydration, carbonation resistance durability 90 ageing cycles.