Abstract
The influence of graphene oxide (GO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber on the mechanical performance, durability, and microstructure of cement-based materials was investigated in this study. The results revealed that compared with a control sample, the mechanical strength and durability of cement-based materials were significantly improved by adding PVA fiber and GO. The compressive and flexural strength at 28 d were increased by 30.2% and 39.3%, respectively. The chloride migration coefficient at 28 d was reduced from 7.3 × 10−12 m2/s to 4.3 × 10−12 m2/s. Under a sulfate corrosion condition for 135 d, the compressive and flexural strength still showed a 13.9% and 12.3% gain, respectively. Furthermore, from the Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) test, with the incorporation of GO, the cumulative porosity decreased from more than 0.13 cm3/g to about 0.03 cm3/g, and the proportion of large capillary pores reduced from around 80% to 30% and that of medium capillary pores increased from approximately 20% to 50%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed a significant amount of hydration products adhering to the surface of PVA fiber in the GO and PVA fiber modified sample. The addition of GO coupling with PVA fiber in cement-based materials could promote hydration of cement, refine the microstructure, and significantly improve mechanical strength and durability.
Highlights
As the main ingredients of concrete and mortar, cement has been widely used in buildings and structures [1]
McoecmhapnriecaslsPiverefoarnmdanflceesxural strength of cement-based materials modified by graphene oxide (GO) and/or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiberfaibreersTaTuhrhmeeescmcuoommamrmpipzrareeersdisszsieiivvndeeiFanainngFdduigfrflueleersxxeu2usrr2aaalnalsndstdtrr3ee3n,n,rggretethshsppooeeffccctcteiievvmmeeelelynyn..ttC‐‐Cbb0a0asrseerepdedprmemrseaeastnteeetrneriidataellstdshmmethocooeddnicifftiorieeonddltsrbbaoyymlGGspaOOlme,aapCnndlFde//a,oonCrrdPFPVCVaAGnAd CG reprerfseiebpnerretesaedrnettsheudemtPhmVeaAPrVizfiAebdefiirbneaFrniagdnuGdreOGs O2mamnoodddi3fii,feireeddspssaeacmmtippvleleel,y,r.reCessp0perecetcpitvrieevsleyeln.yCt.eFdCGFthrGeepcrroeenpsterrenostleesdnamttehpdelGeth,OCeFcGoauOnpdcliConuGgpling withwrPeiVpthArePsfiVebnAeterfdimbtehoredmPifioVdeAdififesibdaemsraapmnledp.lGe.O modified sample, respectively
The influence on the properties of mortar modified by PVA fibers and GO, including mechanical properties, durability and pore structure, were investigated
Summary
As the main ingredients of concrete and mortar, cement has been widely used in buildings and structures [1]. With the progress of society, traditional cement-based materials are unable to meet the increasing demands for durability and mechanical properties of buildings and structures. PVA fiber has been proved to be a good toughening and reinforcing admixture for cement-based materials due to its excellent performance in improving mechanical strength [12]. This is because, on the one hand, PVA fiber possesses a high tensile strength, and on the other hand, its hydrophilic surface interacts with cementitious component and could form a strong bonding combination [13,14,15,16]. It was incapable for significantly improving the durability of cement-based materials
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