Tailored water-based graphene nanofluid additives for high-performance, low-carbon, and cost-effective nanoengineered concrete

Graphene-modified cement composites offer exceptional performance but face challenges such as reduced fluidity and high fabrication costs. This study presents a tailored concrete composite incorporating water-based graphene nanofluid additives (GNAs), fabricated using a simple, cost-effective method. GNAs substitute water for concrete casting, ensuring scalability and effectiveness. The modified concrete demonstrated a 39.29 % increase in fluidity, along with enhancements in compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths by 34.56 %, 11.73 %, and 11.57 %, respectively. Durability improvements included reductions of 17.19 %, 12.82 %, and 63.35 % in chloride ion diffusion, carbonation depth, and drying shrinkage , respectively. Microstructural analysis revealed that GNAs promote hydration, increase calcium hydroxide content, refine pore structure , and form a compact microstructure. Additionally, carbon emissions decreased by 25.67 %, highlighting the material’s sustainability. These findings underscore the potential of GNAs in developing high-performance, low-carbon concrete, advancing the practical applications of nano-carbon material-modified cement composites in construction engineering. • Tailored GNAs are developed for nano-engineered concrete fabrication. • GNAs enhance mechanical performance and long-term durability of concrete. • Mechanisms analyzed: hydration, pore structure, and interfacial transition zone. • GNAs cut carbon emissions by 25.67 %, promoting sustainability.