The Effect of Graphene Nano Particle on the Mechanical and Durability Properties of Portland Cement Concrete

Graphene Nano sheets have the planar structure. These nanoparticles are hydrophobia so the water molecules cannot adsorbed on graphene surface due to the absence of surface tension. Low quantity application of these materials due to high value of specific surface and low density can have significant effects on the concrete properties without having any considerable effect of concrete weight. However, because of hydrophobia nature of these nano particles, its uniform dispersion in concrete body is an essentially problem. In this research, it is attempted to study the effects of Graphene Nano sheets on the concrete properties. For this goal and due to non-uniform dispersion of these nanoparticles, graphene oxide nano sheets were first prepared from the nano graphene according to modified Hummer method and then, after uniform dispersion in concrete, graphene is recovered through heat. In this laboratory investigation the graphene oxide nano sheets are used in the concrete mix designs with ordinary and autoclaved curing condition. According to the obtained results from the x-ray analysis, the graphene oxide nano sheets are successfully converted to graphene nano sheets in the concrete by applying modified Hummer synthesizing method. The results show that the mechanical properties of the specimens which contain graphene oxide in the autoclaved curing condition, increases considerable. Also, the usage of these nanoparticles could improve the water absorption properties of concrete specimens.