Performance Evaluation of Graphene Incorporated Cementitious Systems

The construction sector's rapid growth strains natural resources resulting in damage to the environment. To address this issue, R&D should focus on developing advanced building materials with sustainable features and lower embodied energy. To improve the mechanical properties and durability of cement-based materials, nanomaterials such as graphene, nano-silica, nano-titanium dioxide, nano-clay, carbon nanofiber (CNF), and carbon nanotube (CNT) have been introduced. This study investigates graphene's performance in a cementitious matrix, focusing on the challenges of dispersion. A polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizer (SP) is used as the dispersing agent, and its optimal dose is determined while keeping the graphene quantity constant. Graphene is dispersed in varying SP dosages and analyzed with a UV-spectrophotometer and FESEM microscope. The FESEM micrographs show that the graphene particles have better dispersion with an increase in SP dosages. The compressive strength of cement paste and mortar were evaluated with different graphene and SP dosages, showing that 0.4–0.6% SP and 0.05% graphene are optimal for setting and compressive strength, respectively. Mortar specimens with 0.05% graphene by weight of cement exhibited an increase of ~ 59% compressive strength, compared to the control samples.