Mechanical properties and microstructure of multilayer graphene oxide cement mortar

This study reports on the effects of multilayer graphene oxide (MGO) on compressive strength, flexural strength, and microstructure of cement mortar. The cement mortar was prepared with type P. II. 52.5 Portland cement, standard sand, and MGO. Four mixes were prepared with inclusion of MGO (0%, 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06% by weight of cement). The testing result shows that the compressive of GO-cement mortar increased by 4.84%–13.42%, and the flexural strength increased by 4.37%–8.28% at 3 d. GO-cement mortar’s compressive strength and flexural strength at 7 d increased by 3.84%–12.08% and 2.54%–13.43%, respectively. MGO made little contribution to the increases of compressive strength and flexural strength of cement mortar at 28 d. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and nitrogen (N₂) adsorption/desorption tests show that the types of hydration products and crystal grain size did not change after adding MGO. Still, it can help to improve the microstructure of the cement mortar via regulating hydration products and can provide more condensed cores to accelerate hydration. Furthermore, the regulating action of MGO for the microstructure of cement mortar at an early age was better than that at 28 d.