Cement-Based Materials Containing Graphene Oxide and Polyvinyl Alcohol Fiber: Mechanical Properties, Durability, and Microstructure

Abstract

The influence of graphene oxide (GO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber on the mechanical performance, durability, and microstructure of cement-based materials was investigated in this study. The results revealed that compared with a control sample, the mechanical strength and durability of cement-based materials were significantly improved by adding PVA fiber and GO. The compressive and flexural strength at 28 d were increased by 30.2% and 39.3%, respectively. The chloride migration coefficient at 28 d was reduced from 7.3 × 10−12 m2/s to 4.3 × 10−12 m2/s. Under a sulfate corrosion condition for 135 d, the compressive and flexural strength still showed a 13.9% and 12.3% gain, respectively. Furthermore, from the Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) test, with the incorporation of GO, the cumulative porosity decreased from more than 0.13 cm3/g to about 0.03 cm3/g, and the proportion of large capillary pores reduced from around 80% to 30% and that of medium capillary pores increased from approximately 20% to 50%. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed a significant amount of hydration products adhering to the surface of PVA fiber in the GO and PVA fiber modified sample. The addition of GO coupling with PVA fiber in cement-based materials could promote hydration of cement, refine the microstructure, and significantly improve mechanical strength and durability.

Recent Progress in Nanomaterials for Modern Concrete Infrastructure: Advantages and Challenges

“…Recent studies [126,127,128,129,130,131,132,133,134,135,136,137,138,139,140,141,142,143,144,145,146,147] have examined the performance of cement-based materials incorporating graphene family nanomaterials (GFN) such as graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene nanosheets (GNS). These nanomaterials have extraordinary electrical, mechanical, chemical and thermal properties.…”

Advances of graphene- and graphene oxide-modified cementitious materials

“…In the study by Muthu and Santhanam [78], the GO-modified and nanoalumina-modified cement pastes were soaked in the acidic solution, and when compared with the unmodified sample, the porosity of the cement pastes was reduced by 46% and 51%, respectively. The study by Jiang et al [64] showed that under the condition of sulfate corrosion for 135 days, the compressive strength improvement rate of GO to cementitious materials is 12.3%. The results of the research on the sulfate attack by GO-modified cementitious materials are basically consistent, and scholars have proven the effectiveness of GO to enhance the resistance of cementitious materials to the sulfate attack.…”

“…GO is effective in improving the transport properties. Jiang et al [64] showed that the chloride migration coefficient of GO-modified cementitious materials at day 28 was reduced from 7.3 to 4.3 × 10 −12 m 2 /s. Du and Pang [80,81] studied the transport properties of GP-modified cement mortar, and when the GP dosage is 1.5%, water penetration depth, chloride diffusion, and migration coefficients were reduced by 80%, 50%, and 37%; when the GP dosage is 2.5%, these three data were reduced by 64%, 70%, and 31%, respectively.…”

The Effects of Temperature Curing on the Strength Development, Transport Properties, and Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Blast Furnace Slag Cement Mortars Modified with Nanosilica

“…Unfortunately, due to the presence of slag glass phases, such composites suffer from low early strength and hardening [ 8 ]. Despite the many advantages of concrete structures and their overall durability, exposure to harsh environments containing chloride ions, carbon dioxide, or sulphate can reduce their durability and performance over the years [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. A generally accepted reason for why concrete is susceptible to chemical aggression is that its porosity and microstructural defects allow harmful ions to penetrate the surface into the inside of the concrete structure, ultimately resulting in cracks [ 13 , 14 ].…”