Ultraviolet aging study on bitumen modified by a composite of clay and fumed silica nanoparticles

In this study, surface morphology, rheological and chemical properties were investigated of bitumen, which was modified by a composite of clay and fumed silica nanoparticles, and exposed to ultraviolet (UV) aging in laboratory. The volume fraction of the nanoparticles within the binder ranged from 1 to 3%, the temperature range considered was 30 to 70 °C. Surface morphology, rheological and chemical binder properties were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. It was found, that the bitumen modification through clay and fumed silica nanoparticles changed resulting binder properties significantly. The index of carbonyl and oxidation degree decreased, and the clay and fumed silica nanoparticles improved aging resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation considerably. The results indicate that the mechanical stability of the modified bitumen is very much driven by the specific concentration of clay and fumed silica nanoparticles.