Enhanced Strength, Durability, and Microstructural Attributes of Graphene Oxide-Modified Ultrafine Slag Cement Mortar

Abstract

The work described in this paper assays in detail the improvements in the prominent features of cement mortar cube (CMC) specimens by blending them with 53 grade ordinary Portland cement (OPC), ultrafine slag (UFS), river sand, and graphene oxide (GO). These combinations were evaluated to determine which mixture best provided impressive strength attributes to the mortar. GO, in four different quantities, was explored as a blend (0.01%, 0.02%, 0.03%, and 0.04%). The combination with 10% UFS and 0.03% GO-infused CMCs exhibited improved compressive strength compared to all samples after being cured for three, seven, and twenty-eight days. The higher performance of the 10% UFS and 0.03% GO mortar cubes was further endorsed by durability and microstructural tests, such as water absorption, sorptivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, rapid chloride permeability, electric resistivity, carbonation, FE-SEM/EDX, and XRD. From all the results, it was evident that the mortar containing 10% UFS and 0.03% GO has the best properties for shielding it from deterioration and may be employed as an augmenting structural material in the construction sector.