Effect of reduced graphene oxide on the mechanical properties of concrete

Abstract

Reduced Graphene oxide (rGO) is a 2D nanoplane fiber that contains highly reactive hydroxyl, epoxide, carboxyl, and carbonyl functional groups. These oxygen bearing functional groups increases solubility in cement matrix and serve as a nucleation agent for C-S-H crystals. rGO can serve as a reinforcing material in cement composites and can improve the mechanical properties of cement-based materials. This paper presents the mechanical properties of concrete modified with 0.03%, 0.05% and 0.07% reduced grapheme oxide by the weight of the OPC. Compressive strength of concrete was found to be increased by rGO especially the early age strength due the hydration acceleration and reinforcement of cement matrix and strong adhesion between aggregate and cement matrix by rGO. The mechanical properties, compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity are found to be maximum at 0.05% rGO replacement by the weight of the cement. The properties were found to be decreased at 0.07% of rGO content due to the formation of the agglomerated structure and poor dispersion of rGO.