Enhancing and functionalizing cement mortar with one-step water-based graphene nanofluid additives

Graphene, renowned for its exceptional properties, holds promise for enhancing the strength and functionality of cementitious materials. However, graphene's tendencies to agglomerate and its high-cost present challenges for large-scale integration into cement matrices. This study addresses these issues by integrating surfactants with low-cost graphite, employing a one-step method to prepare a water-stable graphene nanofluid additives (GNAs). The GNAs are directly applicable in cement mortar casting, resulting in significant improvements in compressive strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity, and piezoresistive properties. Microscopic characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), are employed to analyze the modification mechanism of GNAs on cementitious materials. This research not only demonstrates the feasibility of large-scale applications but also provides theoretical support for the utilization of GNA-modified cementitious composites in structural health monitoring within civil engineering.