Submit to Molecules Review for Molecules Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Chemistry in Pavement Materials

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
Published Papers

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 20184

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhanping You

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
Interests: design, construction, and maintenance of pavements; low carbon materials; micromechanics for road materials; discrete element modeling and finite element modeling techniques; recycled materials for civil engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Shihui Shen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Rail Transportation Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, Altoona, PA 16803, USA
Interests: civil engineering materials (asphalt, concrete, etc.); railroad and highway infrastructure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Hainian Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Highway, Chang'an University, South Erhuan Middle Section, Xi'an 710064, China
Interests: transportation materials; pavement design; asphalt mixture characterization and optimization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Aboelkasim Diab

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Faculty of Engineering, Aswan University, Aswan, Egypt
Interests: pavement materials; testing and instrumentation; sustainability; modeling; chemistry of asphalt

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is a tremendous amount of interest in the design and construction of sustainable asphalt pavement systems among academics, industries, government entities and various stakeholders. This Special Issue aims to provide a unique flatform to exchange ideas on topics related to the materials, design, production and processing, construction, and maintenance aspects of asphalt technology. We especially welcome articles on the chemistry of asphalt, fundamental asphaltic material characterization, innovative material design and synthesis, such as the bio-asphalt and chemistry modification of asphalt with polymers and waste plastics, modeling using methodologies such as molecular dynamics and atomic force microscopy, as well as pavement mechanics and performance modeling using mechanics or empirical-based approaches. We also believe that topics related to the chemistry aspect of cement materials, concrete, and chemical stabilization are suitable for this Special Issue.

This Special Issue will cover recent progress and trends in the utilization of chemistry in pavement material practice, but also in the research and development front. Submissions are welcome, but are not limited to the topics listed. Types of contributions to this Special Issue can be full research articles, short communications, and reviews focusing on advances in asphalt materials and other pavement materials.

Prof. Dr. Zhanping You
Prof. Dr. Shihui Shen
Prof. Dr. Hainian Wang
Dr. Aboelkasim Diab
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Asphalt chemistry
Bio asphalt
Molecular dynamics
Materials chemistry
Asphalt processing method
Material modeling
Synthesis of pavement materials
Cementitious material chemistry
Chemical stabilization

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (7 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 6535 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influencing Factors and Evaluation of the Self-Healing Behavior of Asphalt Binder Using Molecular Dynamics Simulation Method

by Yan Li, Haiwei Zhang, Zirui Wu and Bowei Sun

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2860; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062860 - 22 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1686

Abstract

In order to investigate the self-healing behavior of asphalt binder at the molecule scale, the self-healing models of neat and aged asphalt binder with different damage degrees were established by introducing a vacuum pad between two layers filled with asphalt molecules. With this model, the self-healing process was simulated at various healing conditions to reveal the effects of oxidative aging, damage degree and healing temperature on the self-healing property. In addition, self-healing efficiency was evaluated using the indexes representative of the characteristics of different self-healing stages. Our results show that the oxidative aging weakened the stacked structure of the asphalt binder and increased the healing activation energy barrier. The increasing damage degree extended the distance for particles to travel, thus prolonging the time required for the crack interfaces contacting with each other. The elevated temperature improved the molecular mobility by supplying more energy to the molecular system. Furthermore, the self-healing process was evaluated quantitatively by the density variation at the crack closing stage and the diffusion coefficient at the intrinsic healing stage. The duration of each stage was influenced by the oxidative aging, damage degree and healing temperature. The findings in this paper are helpful to reveal and evaluate the self-healing property of asphalt binder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry in Pavement Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 10250 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Waste Toner on Asphalt Binder: Chemical and Rheological Characterization

by Prince Igor Itoua, Daquan Sun, Ping Li and Shihui Shen

Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2794; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062794 - 20 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2056

Abstract

The growing amount of waste toner (WT) has posed a significant environmental challenge. Meanwhile, researchers are interested in the feasibility of utilizing waste toner as an asphalt binder modifier because its primary chemical components (Styrene-acrylic copolymer and carbon black) are known to improve asphalt properties. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and rheological properties of the waste-toner-modified asphalt binder and hence determine the suitability of integrating waste toner for asphalt modification. The waste-toner-modified asphalt (TMA) binders were produced by blending base asphalt with two types of waste toners of different gradation sizes. Microscopic tests such as x-ray fluorescence (XRF), attenuated total reflectance transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDS) and fluorescence microscope, as well as rheology tests such as multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) tests, oscillation tests, and bending beam rheometer tests were performed. The FTIR results showed that there was a chemical reaction between waste toners and base asphalt binder. A fluorescence effect was observed on the binders produced with different toners used in this research. The binder modified with an optimal content of 8%WTs revealed better high and low-temperature properties. Additionally, 8%WTs used in this research could change the PG70-22 binder to PG76-22 binder. The rutting properties of asphalt material were improved for its improved elasticity. In addition, the 200-mesh TMA binders were desirable with respect to waste toner particle size. Overall, there is a benefit to using waste toner in the asphalt industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry in Pavement Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6849 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Surface-Treated Recycling Fibers from Wind Turbine Blades as Reinforcement for Waste Phosphogypsum

by Lilin Yang, Weilin Zhao, Daobei Wang, Yang Liu, Dongzhi Wang and Na Cui

Molecules 2022, 27(24), 8668; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248668 - 8 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1742

Abstract

An attempt at the treatment of the waste fiber (WF) from the wind turbine blade (WTB) was made through the modifier of dopamine hydrochloride and the compound modifier of dopamine hydrochloride and 2,5-dihydroxy terephthalic acid or 3,4-dihydroxy cinnamic acid or 3,4-dihydroxy benzonitrile, corresponding to obtain four modified waste fibers (MWF1, MWF2, MWF3, and MWF4). The MWFs samples’ microstructure properties were characterized using SEM, EDS, XPS, FTIR analyses, and water contact angle tests. The results revealed that all the MWF surfaces were wrapped by a distinct coating layer and had different elemental compositions and chemical groups, demonstrating the significant effect of the four modifications on the WF surfaces. The hydroxyl, amino, or nitrile groups were grafted onto the WF surfaces causing improvement of the hydrophilicity and reactivity. Furthermore, all the MWFs as the reinforced materials were incorporated into the industrial waste phosphogypsum (PG) to manufacture the phosphorous-building gypsum composites (PBGC). The effects on the micro-morphology and mechanical properties of the PBGC were evaluated. The results also show the improvement in flexural and compressive strength with the addition of MWFs into the PBGC, due to the enhancement of the compactness between the MWF and phosphogypsum matrix. In particular, the effects of three compound modifiers on the flexural and compressive strength are more significant. The highest flexural and compressive strength was contributed by the PBGC-MWF4 with 2% dosage using a compound modifier of dopamine hydrochloride and 3,4-dihydroxy benzonitrile, which were enhanced 61.04% and 25.97% compared with the PBG. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry in Pavement Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 6138 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterizing the Diffusion and Rheological Properties of Aged Asphalt Binder Rejuvenated with Bio-Oil Based on Molecular Dynamic Simulations and Laboratory Experimentations

by Xiaorui Zhang, Chao Han, Xinxing Zhou, Frédéric Otto and Fan Zhang

Molecules 2021, 26(23), 7080; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237080 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2474

Abstract

Soybean-derived bio-oil is one of the vegetable-based oils that is gaining the most interest for potential use in the rejuvenation of aged asphalt binders. This laboratory study was conducted to characterize and quantify the diffusion and rheological properties of bio-oil-rejuvenated aged asphalt binder (BRAA) using soybean oil. In the study, the chemical structure of the soybean oil was comparatively characterized using an element analyzer (EA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and a Fourier infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, respectively. Based on the chemical structure of the bio-oil, BRAA molecular models were built for computing the diffusion parameters using molecular dynamic simulations. Likewise, a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test device was used for measuring and quantifying the rheological properties of the aged asphalt binder rejuvenated with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5% soybean oil, respectively. The laboratory test results indicate that bio-oil could potentially improve the diffusion coefficients and phase angle of the aged asphalt binder. Similarly, the corresponding decrease in the complex shear modulus has a positive effect on the low-temperature properties of BRAA. For a bio-oil dosage 4.0%, the diffusion coefficients of the BRAA components are 1.52 × 10⁻⁸, 1.33 × 10⁻⁸, 3.47 × 10⁻⁸, 4.82 × 10⁻⁸ and 3.92 × 10⁻⁸, respectively. Similarly, the corresponding reduction in the complex shear modulus from 1.27 × 10⁷ Pa to 4.0 × 10⁵ Pa suggests an improvement in the low-temperature properties of BRAA. Overall, the study contributes to the literature on the potential use of soybean-derived bio-oil as a rejuvenator of aged asphalt binders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry in Pavement Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2874 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Temperature Performance Evaluation of Asphaltenes-Modified Asphalt Binders

by Amirhossein Ghasemirad, Nura Bala and Leila Hashemian

Molecules 2020, 25(15), 3326; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25153326 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3780

Abstract

Asphalt binder comprises four main fractions—asphaltenes (A), saturates (S), aromatics (A), and resins (R)—referred to as “SARA”. Asphaltenes plays an important role in determining the linear viscoelastic behavior of asphalt binders. In this research, asphaltenes are added as a distinct modifier to improve the performance properties of asphalt binder. The modified binders are aged using a rolling thin film oven. A dynamic shear rheometer is then used to measure the rheological properties of the binders at high temperatures. Changes in the chemical composition of the modified binders are also studied through the determination of SARA fractions, using precipitation and gravity-driven chromatography methods. The rheological results show that asphaltenes improve the stiffness and elasticity of asphalt binder. It is also shown that the addition of asphaltenes raises the high Performance grade (PG) temperature of the asphalt binder, with every 6% of asphaltenes added resulting in a one-interval increase in high PG temperature grade. SARA analysis shows that the increase in polar fraction content due to the addition of asphaltenes causes the stiffness, elasticity, and viscosity of asphalt binders to increase. The results indicate that asphaltenes are an effective yet inexpensive additive to improve asphalt binder properties at high temperatures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry in Pavement Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3544 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Organosolv Lignin as an Oxidation Inhibitor in Bitumen

by Yi Zhang, Xueyan Liu, Panos Apostolidis, Ruxin Jing, Sandra Erkens, Natascha Poeran and Athanasios Skarpas

Molecules 2020, 25(10), 2455; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25102455 - 25 May 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3163

Abstract

Organosolv lignin, a natural polymer, has been used in this study as an oxidation inhibitor in bitumen. Particularly, the effect of oxidative aging on the chemical compositional changes and on the rheology of bituminous binders with organosolv lignin and the impact to inhibit oxidation in bitumen were evaluated. Firstly, after analyzing the microstructure and surface characteristics of utilized organosolv lignin, a high shear mixing procedure was followed to produce binders of different proportions of lignin in bitumen. Pressure aging vessel conditioning was applied to these binders to simulate in-field aging and a series of tests were performed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to track the compositional changes of lignin–bitumen systems before and after aging respectively. The rheological changes due to oxidative aging in the different lignin–bitumen systems were studied by means of dynamic shear rheometer tests. Based on the spectroscopic laboratory analyses, certain proportions of organosolv lignin in bitumen have shown a potential oxidation retardation effect in bitumen since a reduction of carbonyl and sulfoxide compounds was observed. However, the addition of lignin reduced the fatigue life of bitumen and potentially led to an increase in brittle fracture sensitivity at low and medium temperatures. Nevertheless, lignin improved the rutting resistance at high temperatures. Overall, it can be concluded that organosolv lignin can suppress the oxidation of sulfur and carbon compounds in bitumen either by direct deceleration of oxidation reaction or interaction with compounds that otherwise are oxidizable, without seriously degrading the mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry in Pavement Materials)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 3566 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of Characteristics of Bio-Oils and Their Utilization as Additives of Asphalts

by Ran Zhang, Zhanping You, Jie Ji, Qingwen Shi and Zhi Suo

Molecules 2021, 26(16), 5049; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26165049 - 20 Aug 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4046

Abstract

Transforming waste biomass materials into bio-oils in order to partially substitute petroleum asphalt can reduce environmental pollution and fossil energy consumption and has economic benefits. The characteristics of bio-oils and their utilization as additives of asphalts are the focus of this review. First, physicochemical properties of various bio-oils are characterized. Then, conventional, rheological, and chemical properties of bio-oil modified asphalt binders are synthetically reviewed, as well as road performance of bio-oil modified asphalt mixtures. Finally, performance optimization is discussed for bio-asphalt binders and mixtures. This review indicates that bio-oils are highly complex materials that contain various compounds. Moreover, bio-oils are source-depending materials for which its properties vary with different sources. Most bio-oils have a favorable stimulus upon the low temperature performance of asphalt binders and mixtures but exhibit a negative impact on their high-temperature performance. Moreover, a large amount of oxygen element, oxygen-comprising functional groups, and light components in plant-based bio-oils result in higher sensitivity to ageing of bio-oil modified asphalts. In order to increase the performance of bio-asphalts, most research has been limited to adding additive agents to bio-asphalts; therefore, more reasonable optimization methods need to be proposed. Furthermore, upcoming exploration is also needed to identify reasonable evaluation indicators of bio-oils, modification mechanisms of bio-asphalts, and long-term performance tracking in field applications of bio-asphalts during pavement service life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemistry in Pavement Materials)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Chemistry in Pavement Materials

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI