Rheological properties, low-temperature cracking resistance, and optical performance of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets modified asphalt binder

The purpose of this study is to use multiple-layer graphite nanoplatelets to modify the asphalt due to the special features of the graphite nanoplatelets. These include the high optical absorption, self-lubrication, and high thermal stability and conductivity. The graphite nanoplatelets with different weight contents (1% and 2%) were slowly added into the asphalt. The modified asphalt binder was mixed in the high shear mixer. Different tests were used to evaluate the properties of the modified asphalt binder, including the Rotational Viscometer (RV), Modular Compact Rheometer (MCR), Asphalt Binder Thermal Cracking (ABCD) Test, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and electromagnetic radiation absorption tests. The test results demonstrate that 1) the viscosity of the modified asphalt binder increases at various temperatures and the activation energy of the modified asphalt binder decreases compared to the control one; 2) the complex shear modulus of the modified asphalt binder also rises at different temperatures and frequencies and the high-temperature of the modified asphalt binder improves; 3) the cracking temperatures, fracture stresses, and strains of the modified asphalt binder improve and the low-temperature performance of the modified asphalt binder is enhanced; 4) the aging groups increase in the modified asphalt binder and more aging groups in asphalt may help to increase the resistance to the rutting and moisture damage in asphalt mixtures; and 5) the absorption of lights with different wavelengths increases in the modified asphalt binder compared to the control one. Therefore, the resistance to rutting and cracking of graphite nanoplatelets modified asphalt binder is improved and they can be applied to the field for different purposes considering the advanced properties. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.