The addition of graphene to concrete made it super strong
Physicists have created a new composite material by adding graphene to the concrete mix. The properties of the composite are significantly superior to conventional concrete in terms of strength. The research results are published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.
Researchers at the University of Exeter (UK) used nanoengineering technologies to create high-strength concrete. Scientists have been able to incorporate layers of graphene into concrete and have obtained a material that is 4 times more durable. Moreover, the improved concrete proved to be twice as effective against moisture destruction as usual.
Previously, to improve the properties of cement, scientists tried to modify various components of cement, the main constituent of concrete mix. The authors of the new study propose another method – adding graphene suspended in water (a special form of carbon, which is a monoatomic layer of the crystal lattice) into the mixture. The researchers then conducted a series of experiments and determined that the material thus obtained had improved strength characteristics. For example, Young’s modulus (a parameter that determines the resistance of a material to tension and compression) has increased by one and a half times.
The new technology also makes production more environmentally friendly. The carbon footprint (i.e. the amount of greenhouse gases) produced by the improved cement has been significantly weaker. This effect was achieved due to the halving of the volume of the initial material required for the production of concrete. As a result, carbon emissions from the production of one ton of material decreased by 446 kg.
The researchers believe that their work will be the basis for the creation of new nanomaterials that can be included in the composition of cement. The new materials obtained in this way should, according to scientists, increase the efficiency and reliability of the construction of buildings and structu
res all over the world.