Enhancement of Physico-Mechanical Characteristics of Graphene Nano Sheets Reinforced Cement

Abstract

Graphenenanosheets(GNSs) have unique physical properties that make them effective reinforcing materials. The attractive properties of graphene have led to enhance the graphene-polymer nanocomposites. This study investigates the effect of (GNSs) reinforcement on mechanical properties, pore structure and electrical characteristics of the hardened cement composites. GNSwere addedat different percentages of 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05 wt. % of cement. Compressivestrengthwas determined at 28 days of curing.Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA)was used to detect the phase decomposition, the pore structurewas studied using nitrogen adsorption at 77.35°K technique,the microstructure wasexamined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and finally, electrical conductivity of graphene-cement composites was also studied. Results revealed that, considerable enhancements in compressive strengths by about 33%have been achieved by incorporating GNSs into cement matrix by about 0.04%.The integration of graphene into cement has significantly reduced the pore size of thepastes and led to a considerable improvement in the microstructure, with a consequent improvement in the electricalconductivity of these composites.