Effect of Graphene Oxide on the Pore Structure of Cement Paste: Implications for Performance Enhancement

Abstract

The effect of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets on the spatial distribution of cement paste pores has been investigated. In this study, a scheme based on the radial distribution function is developed to analyze the spatial distribution of pores in GO−cement composites. By applying the developed scheme, the addition of 0.04% GO is found to reduce the spatial inhomogeneity of pores in cement paste by around 20% at all curing ages. The test results show that the compressive strength of the cement paste sample containing GO is increased by 30−40%, indicating the negative correlation between the spatial inhomogeneity of pores and mechanical properties of GO−cement composites. Besides the spatial homogenization effect of GO on pores, pore structure refinement by GO is also found to increase the mechanical properties of cementitious materials. The findings suggest the great potential of using GO to modify cementitious materials by homogenizing the spatial distribution of pores. The spatial distribution analysis scheme presented in this study can be used for the future structure−property study of nanoengineered cementitious materials with enhanced performance.

MgAl-Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoparticles as Smart Nanofillers To Control the Rheological Properties and the Residual Porosity of Cement-Based Materials

“…Therefore, they can act as nucleation points in the cementitious environment, accelerating the hydration process and strengthening the nanostructure in the hardened state. In addition, the nanometer size of particles can favor changes in rheological behavior, reduce porosity, improve mechanical performance, and increase durability. , …”

“…In addition, the nanometer size of particles can favor changes in rheological behavior, reduce porosity, improve mechanical performance, and increase durability. 5,6 The emerging structural properties of layered double hydroxides (LDH) make them potential candidates for applications as smart functional additives in hydrated cement, producing high-performance materials. 7−10 The LDH structure consists of stacked layers formed by hydroxyl octahedra with embedded divalent (M 2+ ) and trivalent (M 3+ ) metal cations, r e p r e s e n 2 ).…”

Catalysis and Regulation of Graphene Oxide on Hydration Properties and Microstructure of Cement-Based Materials

“…When the age was 28 d, with the increase of GO content, the small capillary pore volume increased by approximately 6.2–18.8%, while the gel pore volume only increased by approximately 1–8.9%, they demonstrated that the optimization effect of GO on the pore structure of cement paste decreases with age, as shown in Figure . Ruan et al studied the regulation of GO on the pore structure of cement paste in the range of 0.1–30 μm using metal intrusion technology and obtained similar conclusions. They observed that when the age was 7 d, the maximum pore size of the cement paste reduced from 27 to 19 μm with 0.04% GO, and the critical pore size had no significant change.…”

Review of Boron Nitride Nanosheet-Based Composites for Construction Applications

“…Conventional concrete has been a great limitation to the modernization of the construction industry, over the past few decades, due to its low tensile strength, quasi-brittle structure, and vulnerability to chemical attacks. − Nanotechnology appears to be a promising way to revolutionize concrete manufacturing, and study in this field can bring significant performance rewards for the construction industry. A review of the literature shows that nanoparticles such as nanosilica, − carbon nanotube (CNT), − and graphene oxide (GO) − can improve microstructure, ,, enhance mechanical properties, − and provide better electrical and thermal properties of cementitious composites. − …”