Experimental study of graphene oxide on wollastonite induced cement mortar

Present research is mainly focused on, microstructural and durability analysis of Graphene Oxide (GO) in Wollastonite (WO) induced cement mortar with silica fume. The study was conducted by evaluating the mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength), durability properties (water absorption, sorptivity and sulphate resistance) and microstructural analysis by SEM. Cement mortar mix prepared by replacing 10% ordinary portland cement with SF was considered as the control mix. Wollastonite replacement level varied from 0 to 20% by weight of cement. The optimum replacement of wollastonite was found to be 15% and this was followed by four sets of mortar specimens with varying substitution levels of cementitious material with GO at dosage rates of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% by weight. The results indicated that the addition of up to 15%WO and 0.3% GO improves the hydration process and increase the compressive strength and flexural strength of the mortar due to the pore volume reduction, thereby strengthening the mortar mix. The resistance to water penetration and sulphate attack of mortar mixes were generally improved with the dosage of GO in presence of 15% Wollastonite and 10% silica fume content in the mortar mix. Furthermore, FE-SEM test results showed that the WO influences the lattice framework of the cement hydration products increasing the bonding between silica fume particles and cement. The optimum mix containing 0 3% GO with 15% WO replacement exhibited extensive C-S-H formation along with a uniform densified structure indicating that calcium meta-silicate has filled the pores.