title: Preparation and mechanical properties of graphene oxide: cement nanocomposites.
abstract: We investigate the performance of graphene oxide (GO) in improving mechanical properties of cement composites. A polycarboxylate superplasticizer was used to improve the dispersion of GO flakes in the cement. The mechanical strength of graphene-cement nanocomposites containing 0.1-2 wt% GO and 0.5 wt% superplasticizer was measured and compared with that of cement prepared without GO. We found that the tensile strength of the cement mortar increased with GO content, reaching 1.5%, a 48% increase in tensile strength. Ultra high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) used to observe the fracture surface of samples containing 1.5 wt% GO indicated that the nano-GO flakes were well dispersed in the matrix, and no aggregates were observed. FE-SEM observation also revealed good bonding between the GO surfaces and the surrounding cement matrix. In addition, XRD diffraction data showed growth of the calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) gels in GO cement mortar compared with the normal cement mortar.
authors.affiliation: Civil Engineering and Environment Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 111-14115, Iran.
authors.forename: Fakhim
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Babak
authors.affiliation: Civil Engineering and Environment Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 111-14115, Iran.
authors.forename: Hassani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abolfazl
authors.affiliation: Nanotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Rashidi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alimorad
authors.affiliation: Civil Engineering Department, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghodousi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parviz
mesh_terms: D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement / Q000737:chemistry*; D017640:Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D011076:Polycarboxylate Cement; D017640:Silicates; D006108:Graphite; C031293:calcium silicate