Impact of Graphene Oxide on Zero Shear Viscosity, Fatigue Life and Low-Temperature Properties of Asphalt Binder.

Abbas Mukhtar Adnan,Chaofeng Lü,Jinchang Wang,Xue Luo

doi:10.3390/ma14113073

Abstract

This study has investigated the impact of graphene oxide (GO) in enhancing the performance properties of an asphalt binder. The control asphalt binder (60/70 PEN) was blended with GO in contents of 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%. The permanent deformation behavior of the modified asphalt binders was evaluated based on the zero shear viscosity (ZSV) parameter through a steady shear test approach. Superpave fatigue test and the linear amplitude sweep (LAS) method were used to evaluate the fatigue behavior of the binders. A bending beam rheometer (BBR) test was conducted to evaluate the low-temperature cracking behavior. Furthermore, the storage stability of the binders was investigated using a separation test. The results of the ZSV test showed that GO considerably enhanced the steady shear viscosity and ZSV value, showing a significant contribution of the GO to the deformation resistance; moreover, GO modification changed the asphalt binder’s behavior from Newtonian to shear-thinning flow. A notable improvement in fatigue life was observed with the addition of GO to the binder based on the LAS test results and Superpave fatigue parameter. The BBR test results revealed that compared to the control asphalt, the GO-modified binders showed lower creep stiffness (S) and higher creep rate (m-value), indicating increased cracking resistance at low temperatures. Finally, the GO-modified asphalt binders exhibited good storage stability under high temperatures.

Highlights

In recent years, increasing traffic loading has led to the exploration of high-performance asphalt binders
The findings demonstrated that carbon nanotubes (CNT) could substantially enhance the asphalt binders’ rutting and fatigue behavior and physical characteristics when applied at a relatively high dosage
This work examined the impact of graphene oxide (GO) on asphalt binder properties

Summary

Introduction

In recent years, increasing traffic loading has led to the exploration of high-performance asphalt binders. Several studies showed that modification of base asphalt binders enhances their physical and rheological properties, resulting in minimizing common types of distresses, such as fatigue, low-temperature cracking, and rutting deformation, encountered in asphalt pavements [1,2,3,4]. Previous research indicated enhancement in the performance of asphalt binder by incorporating numerous kinds of nanomaterials, such as nano-silica, carbon nanotubes (CNT), and nanoclays, among others [7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. The findings demonstrated that CNT could substantially enhance the asphalt binders’ rutting and fatigue behavior and physical characteristics when applied at a relatively high dosage. Khattak et al [15]

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Conclusion