Green synthesis of graphene oxide from invasive plant species (Nymphaeaceae) for enhancing cement paste microstructure and compressive strength

The proliferation of invasive species, particularly water lilies ( Nymphaeaceae ), in aquatic ecosystems, such as Dal Lake in Srinagar, J&K, India, has led to significant challenges for aquatic life. This research addresses this issue by harnessing the invasive water lily as a resource for an environmentally conscious approach to produce graphene oxide (GO) through thermal pyrolysis. The synthesized GO was incorporated into cement paste (CP) (ranging from 0 to 0.09 wt%) to explore its impact on workability, mechanical properties, and microstructure. Increasing GO concentrations led to decreased workability. However, GO positively influenced compressive strength, with optimal enhancements observed at 0.06 %, a maximum enhancement in compressive strength of 53.7 % and 35.4 % at 7 and 28 days when compared to the control CP. Microstructure analysis through FE-SEM revealed improved cement hydration, pore filling, and densified microstructure, supported by XRD and FT-IR findings. Specifically, GO at 0.06 % concentration showed notable improvements, indicating its crucial role in enhancing mechanical properties.