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Graphene oxide-assisted multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforcement of the transport properties in cementitious composites

  • Composites & nanocomposites
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Abstract

The superior mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and prominent dispersibility of graphene oxide (GO) make their hybrid materials have the potential capability for modifying the transport properties of cementitious composites. GO sheets will produce π–π stacking interactions between MWCNTs which not only assist the dispersion but also inhibit the re-agglomeration of the materials. However, as one type of tough two-dimensional materials, GO sheets would cut down the tube length of MWCNTs at the same time, particularly during the ultrasonication process. Thereby, this study characterizes the influence of GO on the dispersion and hydrodynamic size of the hybrid particles using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer and laser particle-size analyzer, respectively. The transport properties of GO/MWCNTs-OPC pastes containing different ratios of hybrid materials were measured, and their microstructure was investigated by mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of this study confirm that 0.02 wt% GO mixed into 0.04 wt% MWCNTs would balance the dispersion-assisted and nanoparticle cutdown effects well and obtain the optimal decrease in resisting water permeability of the materials, about 55.3%, while excessive GO mixing may deteriorate particle-size and influence reinforcing efficiency. Two analytical models and SEM images reveal the mechanism of transport properties reinforcement; GO/MWCNTs not only play a significant role as nucleating sites in assisting the hydration reaction but also form a net-like distribution in the microstructure of cementitious composites. The findings of this study can guide GO/MWCNTs hybrid composite implementation in the future.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province (No. KYCX19_2169), Postgraduate Research and Practice Innovation Program of China University of Mining and Technology and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, China (No. 51734009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory for Geomechanics and Deep Underground Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, China

    Yuan Gao, Hongwen Jing, Zefu Zhou, Weiqiang Chen, Luan Li & Xinshuai Shi

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia

    Yuan Gao

  3. School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester Pariser Building, Sackville Street, Manchester, England, M13 9PL, UK

    Weiqiang Chen

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  1. Yuan Gao
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Correspondence to Hongwen Jing.

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Gao, Y., Jing, H., Zhou, Z. et al. Graphene oxide-assisted multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforcement of the transport properties in cementitious composites. J Mater Sci 55, 603–618 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-019-04040-3

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