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Published on: November 5, 2015
Performance of Earth Plasters with Graphene-Based Additive
Paola Gallo Stampino1, Letizia Ceccarelli1, Marco Caruso2
1Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Graphene additives enhance the strength and water resistance of sustainable earth plasters. This study shows improved adhesion in raw-earth construction materials using graphene without traditional stabilizers.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Sustainable Architecture
Background:
- Sustainable earthen architecture faces challenges in mechanical and water resistance without stabilizers.
- Graphene-based additives show promise for enhancing concrete properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a graphene-based additive on the strength and water resistance of raw-earth plasters.
- To investigate the interaction between soil properties and the graphene additive.
Main Methods:
- Tested three different soils with varying graphene contents (0.01, 0.05, 0.1 wt%).
- Conducted geotechnical and mineralogical characterization (XRD, ATR-FTIR).
- Performed adhesion tests on hollow bricks, capillary rise tests, and erosion resistance tests.
Main Results:
- Graphene additive increased the cohesion of the earth-sand mixture.
- Improved adhesion properties of earth plasters were observed.
- The study linked soil intrinsic properties to additive interaction.
Conclusions:
- Graphene-based additives can significantly improve the performance of earth plasters.
- Enhanced cohesion leads to better adhesion, crucial for sustainable construction.
- This research offers a novel approach to stabilizer-free earthen architecture.
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