Investigation on dispersion of graphene oxide in cement composite using different surfactant treatments

• Published in: Construction & building materials Vol. 161; pp. 519 - 527
• Main Authors: Chuah, Samuel, Li, Wengui, Chen, Shu Jian, Sanjayan, Jay G., Duan, Wen Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 10.02.2018; Elsevier B.V
• Subjects: Cement paste; Cements (Building materials); Chemical properties; Dispersion; Flexural strength; Graphene; Graphene oxide (GO); Investigations; Surface active agents; Surfactant treatment; Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy; Australia; Graphene oxide (GO); Cement paste; Dispersion; Surfactant treatment; Flexural strength
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.11.154

•The dispersion of GO in water is independent of the sonication degree with only small amount of GO reagglomeration.•High alkalinity and calcium ions are key factors inducing the agglomeration of GO in cement system.•Polycarboxylate-based superplasticisers exhibits the most promising results to disperse GO in cement alkaline environment.•ADVA 210 can disperse GO better in the pore solution environment, which was preferable to preparing GO-ADVA 210 suspension.•The inclusion of 0.03% GO protected by cement weight increased the GO-cement composite flexural strength up to 67%. Graphene oxide (GO) is a novel class of two-dimensional nanoscale sheet material due to its excellent dispersibility in water, high aspect ratio and good intrinsic strengths. In order to obtain a well-distributed GO-reinforced cement composites, the dispersion of GO in water, alkali and several ionic species are investigated with the aid of UV–vis spectroscopy. High alkalinity and calcium ions are key factors inducing the agglomeration of GO in cement system. Dispersion of GO in simulated pore solution is the culmination of the alkali and salt experiments. Agglomeration of GO occurred when GO contacted with the simulated pore solution, highlighting the necessity to protect GO against such aggressive media. The test on surfactant compatibility was then carried out to ensure GO was effectively dispersed in polycarboxylate, air-entrainment and Gum Arabic admixtures within the pore solution. Polycarboxylate-based superplasticisers gave the most promising results to disperse GO in cement alkaline environment. Flexural experiments was performed to highlight the importance of fabrication protocol on the mechanical properties of GO-cement composites. The result shows that the amount of 0.03% GO by weight of cement can increase the flexural strength of GO-cement composite up to 67%.