Graphene in construction: enhancing concrete and mortar properties for a sustainable future

Concrete is an important part of construction with good compressive strength but weak in tensile strength. Many nanomaterials have been used to improve characteristics of concrete. Graphene has been found to be the most promising nanomaterial because of its excellent properties like tensile strength and large surface area. The aim of this analysis is to review the revolutionary potential of graphene in concrete, which is a single-layer carbon allotrope, as an addition or partial replacement for cement in concrete. The objective is to improve the material’s strength, workability, and environmental sustainability. The study takes use of graphene’s extraordinary mechanical strength, thermal and electrical conductivity to undertake an in-depth investigation of the multiple forms of graphene. The review extensively explores various manifestations of graphene and reveals that even a minute addition of 0.1% graphene leads to notable substantial increases of up to 10–15%, 20–25%, and 20–30% in compressive strength (CS), tensile strength (TS), and flexural strength (FS), respectively. The review highlights challenges like scalability, economic viability, and regulatory adherence in graphene’s utilization in construction. Informing researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals, this comprehensive review underscores graphene’s significant promise in enhancing concrete properties, contingent on the quantity used, in the construction sector.