Mechanical properties of graphene nanoplatelets-reinforced concrete prepared with different dispersion techniques

Abstract

In this paper, an experimental investigation is carried out to study the effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the mechanical properties of cementitious composites with coarse aggregates. The concrete mixtures with GNPs concentrations ranging from 0.025% to 0.10% by weight of the cement are prepared, where a wet dispersion technique that employs high shear mixing and polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer to disperse GNPs in water. The effects of various dispersion parameters including different high shear mixing durations as well as the use of ultrasonication together with high shear mixing on the dispersion of GNPs are studied. The dispersion quality of GNPs is assessed through optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy tests. Compressive strength and flexural strength tests are conducted to assess the effects of GNPs on mechanical properties of the fabricated GNP-reinforced concrete specimens. Results show that all the dispersion procedures considered in this study can disperse GNPs in water without causing any basal or vacancy defects in graphene sheets and reduce the size of graphene flakes. The use of ultrasonication together with high shear mixing leads to the smallest size graphene sheets. When the GNPs are added to the concrete mixture at a dosage of 0.025%, a maximum increase of 17% in compressive strength is observed, while no significant effect of GNPs on the flexural strength is noticed.