A review on properties of cement-based composites doped with graphene

In recent years, due to the higher requirements for mechanical properties and versatility of cement-based composites (CBC), the research on new materials has become a heat wave. The excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties of graphene make it an important material for enhancing the tensile strength, toughness and electrical properties of CBC. CBC doped with graphene (CCDG) exhibits extraordinary mechanical properties and versatility. In this review, methods for assessing the dispersibility of graphene are summarized. The research results on the mechanical properties and microstructure of CCDG are reviewed and discussed. Besides, the research work on the versatility of CCDG is summarized. The results show that the combination of ultrasonic and dispersant is the most ideal method to disperse graphene and the most suitable dispersant is Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer (PS or PC). In addition, the doping of graphene can strengthen the mechanical properties of graphene and the optimal dosage is about 0.06 wt%. The principle of enhancement can be classified as filling, nucleation, consolidation and bridging effects. Finally, the versatility of CCDG basically depends on the excellent performance of graphene. When graphene is uniformly dispersed in CBC and forms a stable pathway, CBC can obtain excellent electrical properties, thermal properties and pressure sensitivity. This review is of value for further research work on CCDG and provides theoretical support for the application of CCDG in engineering.