Synergistic effect of graphene oxide and coloidalnano-silica on the microstructure and strength properties of fly ash blended cement composites

Abstract

Cement concretes are widely used and very effective in the construction industry. Micro-scale problems such as porosity, micro-cracks, etc. Many researchers have done research work globally to address this issue. This research investigation also addresses this by using colloidal nano-silica along with Graphene oxide (GO) particles in fly ash-based cement compounds. The change in the behaviour of cement matrix experimentally observed with 10% replacement of FA with cement, 2.5% replacement of Nano-silica with cement, and GO of variable dosage in this research investigation, GO as additive of dosages 0.02%, 0.03%, 0.04%, 0.05%, and 0.06% by mass of cement has been used. GO and Nano-silica were sonicated for 30 minutes to get uniform dispersion of nanoparticles. The material characterization and cement blended composite characterization has been performed using Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared tests. From the Test results, it is found that the addition of 0.03% of GO is the optimum dosage of the cement composites. It is observed that GO+NS with FA affects the overall hydration process of the cement composites. GO, and NS fills the pores, causing a reduction in pore volume and promoting the more compact and dense microstructure.