Open AccessHigh‐Performance Graphene‐Based Cementitious Composites
Author(s) -
Krystek Małgorzata,
Pakulski Dawid,
Patroniak Violetta,
Górski Marcin,
Szojda Leszek,
Ciesielski Artur,
Samorì Paolo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201801195
Subject(s) - materials science , graphene , composite material , cementitious , cement , microstructure , portland cement , ultimate tensile strength , compressive strength , composite number , dispersion (optics) , alite , agglomerate , nanotechnology , clinker (cement) , physics , optics
This study reports on the development of a cementitious composite incorporating electrochemically exfoliated graphene (EEG). This hybrid functional material features significantly enhanced microstructure and mechanical properties, as well as unaffected workability; thus, it outperforms previously reported cementitious composites containing graphene derivatives. The manufacturing of the composite relies on a simple and efficient method that enables the uniform dispersion of EEG within cement matrix in the absence of surfactants. Different from graphene oxide, EEG is found to not agglomerate in cement alkaline environment, thereby not affecting the fluidity of cementitious composites. The addition of 0.05 wt% graphene content to ordinary Portland cement results in an increase up to 79%, 8%, and 9% for the tensile strength, compressive strength, and Young's modulus, respectively. Remarkably, it is found that the addition of EEG promotes the hydration reaction of both alite and belite, thus leading to the formation of a large fraction of 3CaO·2SiO 2 ·3H 2 O (C‐S‐H) phase. These findings represent a major step forward toward the practical application of nanomaterials in civil engineering.