Evaluation of Synergic Effect of Graphene Oxide Nanosheets (GO) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) on the Durability Characteristics of Cement Mortars

Nanomaterials addition in cement-based materials has shown enhanced properties related to strength and durability. The mechanical and durability performance of cement-based materials is greatly influenced by the addition of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag(GGBS), which is effective as an alternative construction material. This study reports the investigation on the inclusion addition of Graphene Oxide nanosheet (GO) and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) on the durability performance of cement mortar samples and comparison with reference samples. With 0.08 % GO and 30% GGBS with cement, strength loss, mass variation and visual deterioration of cement mortar samples immersed in two different concentrations of 5% and 10% sodium sulphate solution were evaluated after 90 and 180 days. The addition of GO and GGBS showed remarkable improvement in deterioration to sulphate attack with enhanced resistance to strength and to mass variation, which is confirmed by a visual deterioration of samples presented in this work. Results show that the composite mixture of GO and GGBS provided effective resistance against sulphate attack compared to reference/ control samples. The synergic effect of GO and GGBS proved effective in enhancing the durability performance of cement-based materials against sulphate attack.