Abstract
Cement is the most-used construction material worldwide. Research for sustainable cement production has focused on including nanomaterials as additives to enhance cement performance (strength and durability) in recent decades. In this concern, graphene is considered one of the most promising additives for cement composites. Here, we propose a novel technique for producing few-layer graphene (FLG) that can fulfil the material demand for the construction industry. We produced specimens with different FLG loadings (from 0.05% to 1% by weight of cement) and curing processes (water and saturated air). The addition of FLG at 0.10% by weight of cement improved the flexural strength by 24% compared to the reference (bare) sample. Similarly, a 0.15% FLG loading by weight of cement led to an improvement in compressive strength of 29% compared to the reference specimen. The FLG flakes produced by our proposed methodology can open the door to their full exploitation in several cement mortar applications, such as cementitious composites with high durability, mechanical performance and high electrical conductivity for electrothermal applications.
Highlights
IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
The images demonstrate that the fewlayer graphene (FLG) flakes have irregular shapes
This study reveals an FLG loading threshold for improving mechanical performance, between 0.1% and 0.15% bwoc, where the FLG flakes can be homogeneously dispersed in the cement matrix
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Any material or building element is considered sustainable if it combines environmental conservation and economic feasibility [1]. The construction industry must provide sustainable solutions, but many building materials are not environmentally friendly [2]. Studies of the life-cycle of construction materials [3] (in terms of annual production, effects of raw material use, energy consumption and pollution for its production and recycling) have led to a reconsidering of their production and use, focusing mainly on choices that lead to or favours the reduction of the carbon emission footprint [4]
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