Use of bioceramics enhanced with effective microorganisms as an additive for construction: study of physical and mechanical properties in cement mortars and gypsum plasters

Abstract

Biomaterials are materials that are used to manufacture devices that interact with biological systems. According to their chemical composition, they can be classified as biometals, biopolymers, bioceramics, biocomposites and semiconductors. Thus, in the present work, the application of bioceramics, enhanced with effective microorganisms, to construction materials (cement mortars and gypsum plasters) was studied in order to see the benefits that its incorporation contributes to construction materials. This first work constitutes the first phase of an experimental campaign in which the influence of bioceramics on the physical and mechanical properties (flexural and compressive strength) of the studied materials was analyzed. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) techniques were used. According to the results, a slight improvement in the mechanical properties of the new composites was observed. Besides, a more compact matrix was observed when bioceramics were used as an aggregate to the mixtures.