Nano reinforced cement paste composite with functionalized graphene and pristine graphene nanoplatelets

This study examines and compares the workability, hydration, mechanical, microstructure and transport properties of cement paste composites containing the three forms of graphene-based 2D nanomaterials synthesised from epigenetic graphite deposit, namely, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and pristine graphene nanoplatelates (G). Graphene materials were used from 0.01% to 0.16% of cement weight. The rGO and G were treated with salt and surfactant, respectively during synthesis, to improve dispersion in water. Characteristics and physical strength vary among GO, rGO and G, which have influenced the properties of nano reinforced graphene-cement composites (GCCs). The 28-day compressive and flexural strength of graphene (GO, rGO and G) cement composite improved by 28% and 81%, 30% and 84%, and 39% and 38%, respectively, compared to the control mix (cement paste without graphene materials). Finally, microscopic analysis, dynamic vapour sorption (DVS), electrical resistivity and water sorptivity results suggested that graphene materials densify and reinforce the composite microstructure.