Few-Layers Graphene-Based Cement Mortars: Production Process and Mechanical Properties

Salvatore Polverino, Antonio Esau Del Rio Castillo, Antonio Brencich, Luigi Marasco, Francesco Bonaccorso and Renata Morbiducci
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Salvatore Polverino: Department Architecture and Design (DAD), University of Genoa, 16123 Genoa, Italy
Antonio Esau Del Rio Castillo: Graphene Labs, Italian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.), 16163 Genoa, Italy
Antonio Brencich: Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DICCA), University of Genoa, 16145 Genoa, Italy
Luigi Marasco: Graphene Labs, Italian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.), 16163 Genoa, Italy
Francesco Bonaccorso: Graphene Labs, Italian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.), 16163 Genoa, Italy
Renata Morbiducci: Department Architecture and Design (DAD), University of Genoa, 16123 Genoa, Italy

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: Cement is the most-used construction material worldwide. Research for sustainable cement production has focused on including nanomaterials as additives to enhance cement performance (strength and durability) in recent decades. In this concern, graphene is considered one of the most promising additives for cement composites. Here, we propose a novel technique for producing few-layer graphene (FLG) that can fulfil the material demand for the construction industry. We produced specimens with different FLG loadings (from 0.05% to 1% by weight of cement) and curing processes (water and saturated air). The addition of FLG at 0.10% by weight of cement improved the flexural strength by 24% compared to the reference (bare) sample. Similarly, a 0.15% FLG loading by weight of cement led to an improvement in compressive strength of 29% compared to the reference specimen. The FLG flakes produced by our proposed methodology can open the door to their full exploitation in several cement mortar applications, such as cementitious composites with high durability, mechanical performance and high electrical conductivity for electrothermal applications.

Keywords: innovative construction; high-performance materials; few-layers graphene; cement mortar; flexural strength; compressive strength (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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