Impact assessment of graphene oxide, sea sand and water on cement mortar characteristics

摘要

This study suggests that natural resources such as river sand and water can be replaced with sea sand and sea water in reasonable amounts and that cement can be partially replaced with graphene oxide (GO), in order to reduce the depletion of these resources caused by increased construction activity. Tests for workability such as fluidity, setting time, consistency, and viscosity were conducted on the modified cement paste samples, and compressive strength and soundness tests were also done to verify the strength of the modified cement paste. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to examine the shape and microstructure of the graphene oxide (GO). Six blends (B0-B5) were studied by replacing cement with GO at 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1, and replacing natural sand and water with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 of sea sand and sea water, respectively. The B4 mix yielded the most favourable results, with a 6.25 decrease in the ultimate setting time, a 16 decrease in the expansion of the cement paste, a 16.67 decrease in water usage, and a 40 increase in fineness. Additionally, this blend had a 10 higher compressive strength and a 14.5 faster initial setting time than the B0 reference mix. The addition of graphene oxide, sea sand, and sea water to cement paste enhances its microstructure and mechanical qualities, as GO reinforces the cement paste and reduces its permeability, making it stronger, whilst the minerals and other chemicals in the seawater further strengthen it. The microstructure of cement paste can be improved by adding graphene oxide, sea water, and sea sand, resulting in greater strength and durability. Sea sand can make the cement paste more workable, and sea water can be used as a curing agent to speed up the hydration process and enhance the cement paste's strength. However, the further addition of GO, SS, and SW to the mix can decrease the mechanical qualities of the cement paste due to increased water absorption and hydration, as well as contaminants in sea sand and sea water which may reduce the strength of the cement paste. Graphene oxide's hydrophilic properties may also weaken the cement paste. The PCA, ANOVA, NPR, MLR, and RSR models are the best variables for experimentation and accurately predict the properties of cement paste. ANOVA and the RSR model are the two that best fit the data and more accurately forecast the experiment's dependent variable than the other models. This scientific study provides an opportunity to utilise seawater and beach sand in regions close to the shoreline where water is scarce and natural sand is not easily accessible.