In Situ Preparation of rGO-Cement Using Thermal Reduction Method and Performance Study

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Civil Engineering

Background:

• Graphene oxide (GO) is a promising material for enhancing cement properties.
• Developing efficient methods for in situ preparation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in cement composites is crucial.
• Understanding the structure-property relationships of rGO-cement composites is essential for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To in situ prepare reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-Cement using a combination of freeze-drying and high-temperature thermal reduction.
• To investigate the effects of rGO on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of cement.
• To determine the optimal dosage of rGO for enhanced cement performance.

Main Methods:

• In situ preparation of rGO-Cement from graphene oxide (GO)-Cement.
• Freeze-drying and high-temperature thermal reduction techniques.
• Characterization using Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Evaluation of electrical resistivity, compressive strength, and flexural strength.

Main Results:

• Successful transformation of GO-Cement to rGO-Cement confirmed by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses.
• Electrical resistivity decreased with increasing rGO content, reaching a percolation threshold at 0.7 wt.%.
• Compressive and flexural strengths initially increased with rGO addition, peaking at 0.7 wt.%, then decreased.
• Optimal rGO dosage for enhanced properties was determined to be 0.7 wt.%.

Conclusions:

• The in situ preparation method effectively produced rGO-Cement with improved properties.
• The optimal rGO content of 0.7 wt.% balances electrical conductivity and mechanical strength.
• This approach offers a viable strategy for modifying and enhancing cement materials for diverse applications.